Penne with savory sausage, creamy tomato sauce, herbs, and Parmesan for a hearty, easy-to-make dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 10 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauce
06 - 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, or mixed)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cheese & Garnish
11 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How to make it:
01 - Boil penne in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes.
03 - Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Pour crushed tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes (if using) into the skillet. Let simmer gently for 3 minutes.
05 - Lower heat to low, stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer lightly for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If needed, stir in reserved pasta water to achieve desired sauce consistency.
07 - Mix grated Parmesan cheese into pasta. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot garnished with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
