Description
This Easy Sausage Pesto Pasta is a delicious and quick weeknight dinner option. The creamy pesto sauce paired with savory Italian sausage creates a flavorful dish that is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
12 oz pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed), 3 cloves garlic (minced), ½ cup jarred basil pesto, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), salt and black pepper to taste, fresh basil and extra Parmesan for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage: In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage until browned. Add garlic, then stir in pesto and cream.
- Combine Ingredients: Add cooked pasta, Parmesan, and tomatoes to the skillet. Toss to coat.
- Finish and Serve: Adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water, season with salt and pepper, garnish, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use spicy Italian sausage or substitute with chicken or turkey sausage for variation.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
