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Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta

Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta
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Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender farfalle pasta combined with savory Italian sausage and a luscious sauce made from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings, it offers rich textures, bold flavors, and minimal cleanup in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)

Pasta

  • 12 ounces bow tie pasta (farfalle)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Oils and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove casings from the Italian sausage and crumble it into the pan. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until fragrant and translucent, allowing the onions to absorb the sausage drippings’ flavors.
  3. Prepare the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the bow tie pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta cooking water for later use.
  4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to low, then pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine with the sautéed onions and garlic. Let the cream simmer for 3-4 minutes until it has thickened slightly. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it by adding reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Final Touches: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley over the dish for a burst of freshness and vibrant color. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the creamy, savory goodness.

Notes

  • Use high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor.
  • Cook pasta to al dente for ideal texture and sauce retention.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and enhance creaminess.
  • Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for superior flavor and melting.
  • Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes gradually to control the spice level.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage pasta, bow tie pasta recipe, creamy pasta, quick dinner, one-pot pasta

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/italian-sausage-bow-tie-pasta/