Hearty Italian Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Ingredients

- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups ditalini pasta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

2. Cook the Sausage
Add the Italian sausage to the pot. Break into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.

3. Flavor the Base
Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Simmer the Broth and Tomatoes
Pour in the chicken broth and add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil.

5. Cook the Pasta
Add the ditalini pasta to the pot. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.

6. Create the Creamy Sauce
Lower the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese, breaking it up with a spoon until fully melted and smooth. Slowly add the milk and continue stirring until well incorporated and heated through.

7. Add the Cheese
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.

8. Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Total Time

PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Italian sausage, pasta dish, creamy pasta, easy dinner, one-pot meal, tomato pasta, weeknight dinner, comfort food, quick recipe, sausage and cheese

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total calories: 2,800

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