Description
Sausage Pesto Pasta is a quick, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish combining savory sausage, vibrant pesto sauce, and tender pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and offers a comforting yet fresh meal that can be adapted to various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Protein
- 12 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy), cooked and crumbled
Pasta
- 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
Sauce and Flavorings
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add your pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until golden and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: Add minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes to the sausage pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the tomatoes start to soften.
- Mix in Pesto and Pasta: Lower the heat and stir the pesto sauce into the sausage mixture. Add the cooked pasta, tossing everything together until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil over the top. Give it one last gentle toss and serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- Choose high-quality pesto to maximize flavor and freshness.
- Do not overcook pasta; aim for an al dente texture to avoid mushiness.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Use fresh garlic and basil to brighten and elevate the dish.
- Ensure sausage is thoroughly cooked for safety and best taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg