Description
Creamy orecchiette pasta with sausage combines tender ear-shaped pasta with savory Italian sausage and a rich, velvety cream sauce, perfectly balanced with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. This comforting, easy-to-make dish is ideal for weeknights or special dinners, offering versatility and deep, satisfying flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz orecchiette pasta
- 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz of orecchiette pasta until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for adjusting the sauce later if needed.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove sausage from casings, crumble it, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic (3 cloves) to the sausage drippings in the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, infusing the oil with flavor.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet with garlic, stirring to combine. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly. Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage: Add the cooked sausage back into the sauce, then toss in the drained pasta. Mix thoroughly so every piece is coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil (2 tablespoons) over the pasta, and toss gently for a fresh, bright finish.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture ensures the best bite and prevents mushiness.
- Use high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor and richness.
- Reserve pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to pasta.
- Always grate Parmesan cheese fresh for better melting and enhanced flavor.
- Adjust the sauce creaminess by simmering longer or adding pasta water as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg