Sausage Cavatelli

Indulge in the comforting flavors of this hearty Sausage Cavatelli, a true crowd-pleaser that combines the richness of sweet Italian sausage with the tender chew of cavatelli pasta. This recipe features a robust tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, balanced perfectly with dried oregano and fresh basil. The addition of Parmesan cheese provides a creamy, savory finish to each bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, this one-pan wonder is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread and a crisp salad for the ultimate Italian-inspired meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 pound cavatelli pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the cavatelli pasta.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Remove the sausage casings if necessary and add the sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 3

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Meanwhile, cook the cavatelli pasta in the boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.

Step 7

Add the cooked sausage back into the tomato sauce and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Combine the drained cavatelli pasta with the sausage sauce, stirring gently so the pasta is coated evenly.

Step 9

Serve the sausage cavatelli hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1988.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3538.9

Total Fat 157.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 50.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 342.4mg	0%
Sodium 6627.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 391.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.0g	0%
Total Sugars 47.1g
Protein 142.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 911.5mg	0%
Iron 31.4mg	0%
Potassium 4233.2mg	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: 40.0%

Protein: 16.0%

Carbs: 44.0%