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Creamy tomato sausage pasta with fusilli, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil in a rich sauce.

Creamy Tomato & Sausage Pasta

5 from 1 vote
This Creamy Tomato & Sausage Pasta is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor from garlic, tomatoes, Italian sausage, and a creamy parmesan sauce. It’s an easy, restaurant-quality pasta that comes together quickly and is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pasta
  • 1 whole shallot minced
  • 7 basil leaves sliced
  • 1 lb cherry tomatoes
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup white wine Pinot Grigio or chicken stock
  • 8 oz mild Italian sausage or any protein
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
  3. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove and set aside if needed.
  4. In the same pan, add the minced shallot and cook until softened.
  5. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften and burst.
  7. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  8. Pour in the white wine (or chicken stock) and let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
  9. Add the heavy cream, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir and let simmer until slightly thickened.
  10. Add the cooked sausage back into the pan and stir to combine.
  11. Add the cooked pasta and toss until fully coated in the sauce.
  12. Stir in parmesan cheese and a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  13. Finish with fresh basil and serve warm.

Notes

• Use chicken stock if you prefer no alcohol
• Pasta water helps create a silky sauce
• You can swap sausage for chicken or shrimp
• Add red pepper flakes for heat