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Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage: A Quick and Delicious Weeknight Meal

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Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage: A Quick and Delicious Weeknight Meal

Looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes? This Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage is the answer! It’s a simple yet elegant dish that combines the bright, herbaceous flavors of pesto with the rich, savory taste of sausage, all enveloped in a luscious creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create your own Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.

Why reserve pasta water? Pasta water is starchy and helps to thicken the sauce and create a creamy emulsion. Don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.

Tip: For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage while it’s cooking.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic

Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4: Add the Cream and Pesto

Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Recipe Variations

This Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage is a versatile recipe that can be easily adapted to your liking. Here are a few variations to try:

Tips for Success

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or heat in a skillet over low heat. Add a little milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.

Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage Recipe

Yields: 4-6 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Equipment:

Instructions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Enjoy Your Delicious Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage!

This recipe is a surefire way to impress your family and friends with a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily make at home. The creamy pesto sauce, combined with the savory sausage and perfectly cooked penne pasta, creates a truly unforgettable dish. So, gather your ingredients and get cooking! You’ll be enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.

Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #CreamyPestoPenne #SausagePasta #EasyWeeknightMeals. We love seeing your culinary masterpieces!

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