Imagine a dish that combines the hearty flavors of breakfast sausage with the luxurious creaminess of a tomato sauce, all wrapped around perfectly cooked radiatori pasta. This isn't just another pasta recipe - it's a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing weekend feast, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz radiatori pasta
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of radiatori pasta, 1 lb of breakfast sausage, 1 can (15 oz) of diced tomatoes, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the radiatori pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breakfast sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Sauté the sausage for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is browned and cooked through.
- Once the sausage is cooked, drain any excess fat if necessary, then add the can of diced tomatoes (with their juices) to the skillet. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reduce the heat to low, then pour in the heavy cream, stirring well to incorporate it with the sausage and tomatoes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
- Next, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting to your preference.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Gently toss the pasta in the sauce, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce adhere to the pasta. Ensure that the radiatori is well coated with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for a minute to cool slightly. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Enjoy your Radiatori Pasta with Breakfast Sausage Creamy Tomato Sauce as a comforting and delicious meal!
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea! This is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
- Don't drain all the pasta water. The starchy liquid helps the sauce cling to the pasta and creates a more cohesive dish.
- Use fresh, high-quality breakfast sausage for the best flavor. If possible, choose a sausage with a good balance of herbs and spices.
- For extra richness, try using half-and-half instead of heavy cream if you want to slightly reduce the calorie content.
- The radiatori pasta's unique shape is perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce - make sure to toss it well to get maximum sauce coverage.
- If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese grated directly onto the dish will elevate the flavor profile significantly compared to pre-grated cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 784kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 165mg
