Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
This easy pasta dish is a hybrid between creamy, rich "marry me" pasta and elevated comfort food, like a fancy hamburger helper with sausage. Packed with flavor from Italian sausage, a luscious cream sauce, and ditalini pasta, it’s sure to become a weeknight favorite!
Calories: 655kcal
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta cooked al dente
- 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil
For the Sauce:
- 8 ounces mild Italian ground sausage
- ½ cup sweet onion diced small
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 –1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
- Pinch of kosher salt to taste
- Few turns of cracked black pepper to taste
- ½ –¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¾ –1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Optional Garnish:
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
Make the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season generously with kosher salt, and cook the ditalini pasta according to the package instructions, ensuring it's al dente.
- Drain the pasta using a colander, drizzle with a little avocado oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
Cook the Sausage and Aromatics:
- Heat a nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the mild Italian ground sausage and sauté until golden brown.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Caramelize the Tomato Paste:
- Stir in the tomato paste and let it caramelize for 2-3 minutes to enhance its flavor.
- Season with a pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of cracked black pepper.
Deglaze and Make the Sauce:
- Deglaze the pan by adding the low-sodium chicken broth. Stir and let the broth reduce by half.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to create a creamy base.
Incorporate Cheese and Pasta:
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted.
- Toss in the cooked pasta and stir until well-coated in the sauce.
Adjust Consistency:
- If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to a skillet or bowl to reconstitute the sauce. Heat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Adjusting Sauce Consistency: If the sauce thickens too much while cooking or reheating, a splash of chicken broth will help loosen it without diluting the flavor.
Cheese Substitution: Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a slightly sharper flavor.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to a skillet or bowl to reconstitute the sauce. Heat gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Adjusting Sauce Consistency: If the sauce thickens too much while cooking or reheating, a splash of chicken broth will help loosen it without diluting the flavor.
Cheese Substitution: Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a slightly sharper flavor.