Description
A rich and creamy Italian pasta dish featuring tender bow tie pasta coated in a savory tomato-cream sauce with flavorful sweet Italian sausage, garlic, onions, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. This recipe is quick enough for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for special occasions, delivering restaurant-quality flavor in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 16 oz package bow tie pasta
Sauce and Sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 14.5 oz cans Italian diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta but do not rinse it, as retaining the starch helps to thicken the sauce.
- Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the crumbled sweet Italian sausage along with red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is evenly browned and fully cooked.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned sausage. Continue cooking until the onions are tender and translucent, releasing their aroma.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the Italian diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and salt into the skillet. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked bow tie pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure the pasta is well coated. Allow the pasta to cook in the sauce for an additional 3 to 5 minutes so it absorbs more flavor and the sauce thickens further.
- Finish with basil and Parmesan: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- This Italian pasta dish is creamy, flavorful, and quick to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight meal that also impresses for special dinners.
- Keeping the pasta water starchy by not rinsing helps the sauce cling better to the noodles, enhancing every bite.
- Fresh basil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese add a burst of flavor and freshness to the finished dish.
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- For a lighter option, consider substituting heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
