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

• Quick and Easy: This recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal prep time and only a handful of ingredients.
• Flavorful: The combination of pesto, sausage, and cream creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe to your liking by using different types of sausage, adding vegetables, or adjusting the amount of cream.
• Comforting: Creamy pasta is the ultimate comfort food, and this recipe is no exception. It’s warm, satisfying, and perfect for a chilly evening.
• Crowd-Pleasing: This dish is always a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone wanting more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Penne Pasta: The tubular shape of penne pasta makes it ideal for capturing the creamy pesto sauce. You can substitute with other pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or even spaghetti.
• Italian Sausage: I prefer using sweet Italian sausage for this recipe, but you can use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference. Remove the sausage from its casings for even cooking.
• Pesto: Store-bought or homemade pesto works perfectly in this recipe. If using store-bought, opt for a high-quality pesto with fresh basil flavor. Homemade pesto is always a treat though!
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a pungent aroma and flavor to the dish. Mince it finely to prevent overpowering the other flavors.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is used for sautéing the garlic and sausage.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Optional Add-ins: Cherry tomatoes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes for a kick.

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:

• Vegetarian: Omit the sausage and add vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or zucchini.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use hot Italian sausage.
• Sun-Dried Tomato: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for a tangy and savory flavor.
• Chicken: Substitute the sausage with cooked chicken breast or thighs.
• Lemon: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce for a bright and zesty flavor.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta is key to a good pasta dish. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and won’t hold the sauce as well.
• Use High-Quality Pesto: The quality of the pesto will greatly affect the flavor of the dish. Opt for a high-quality pesto with fresh basil flavor or make your own.
• Don’t Burn the Garlic: Burnt garlic will have a bitter taste and ruin the flavor of the dish. Sauté the garlic over low heat and watch it carefully.
• Adjust the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese.

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:

• Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to creamy pasta.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing will add a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers are a healthy and flavorful side dish.
• Caprese Salad: A Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil is a classic Italian side dish that pairs well with pasta.

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:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage, sweet, mild, or hot, casings removed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup pesto, store-bought or homemade
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, spinach

Equipment:

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Colander

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.

• Calories: 600-800 per serving
• Fat: 30-40 grams
• Protein: 25-35 grams
• Carbohydrates: 60-80 grams

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!

More Pasta Recipes to Try

• Garlic Parmesan Pasta
• Spaghetti Carbonara
• Baked Ziti