Pink Sauce with Sausage and Pine Nuts Over Penne

Elevate your pasta night with this rich and creamy Pink Sauce with Sausage and Pine Nuts Over Penne. This crowd-pleasing dish features al dente penne pasta tossed in a luxurious pink sauce made by blending tangy crushed tomatoes with velvety heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Savory Italian sausage adds a hearty depth of flavor, while toasted pine nuts provide a delightful crunch and nutty aroma to every bite. Finished with fresh basil and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. Ideal for weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining, this 40-minute recipe will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 oz pine nuts
• 2 tbsp basil leaves, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.

Step 5

Stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce turns a vibrant pink color. Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage to the pan and stir to combine. Add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

In a small dry skillet, lightly toast the pine nuts over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.

Step 8

Stir the chopped basil into the pasta and sauce mixture. Plate the pasta, then sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and garnish with additional chopped basil, if desired.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy your Pink Sauce with Sausage and Pine Nuts Over Penne.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1465.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3604.2

Total Fat 211.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 88.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.3g
Cholesterol 480.1mg	0%
Sodium 4990.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 292.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.4g	0%
Total Sugars 20.6g
Protein 122.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1050.3mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 2421.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.4%

Protein: 13.8%

Carbs: 32.8%