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Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage and Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 35 reviews

This Tomato Basil Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring orecchiette pasta tossed in a savory sauce made with ground sausage, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. The sauce combines half and half, chicken broth, white wine, and Parmesan cheese for a rich, comforting meal perfect for a hearty family dinner or gathering.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt

Meat and Oil

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ lb. ground sausage (hot, sweet, or mild)
  • ½ cup dry white wine

Other Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon softened cream cheese (optional but recommended)
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ pound orecchiette pasta
  • 1-2 cups cherry tomatoes (2 cups recommended)
  • 8-10 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce mixture: Combine the half and half, chicken broth, hot sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, onion powder, oregano, parsley, and garlic salt together in a large measuring cup with a spout and set aside. Also, measure out your remaining ingredients so you're ready to cook.
  2. Boil pasta water: Begin boiling a large pot of salted water for cooking the pasta while you proceed with the rest of the recipe.
  3. Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sausage, breaking it up and cooking until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Deglaze the skillet: Turn the heat off briefly, then add the white wine to the skillet. Turn heat back to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer and reduce by half over about 4 minutes to concentrate flavor.
  5. Cook garlic and make roux: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Melt the butter in the skillet and slowly sprinkle in the flour, stirring continuously to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the flour smell disappears and the mixture is lightly golden.
  6. Cook pasta: Add the orecchiette pasta to the boiling salted water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta once cooked.
  7. Add sauce base: Gradually add the prepared sauce mixture to the skillet in small splashes while stirring continuously. This slow addition helps maintain sauce thickness. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low to simmer gently.
  8. Incorporate tomatoes, cream cheese, and cheese: Stir in the cherry tomatoes and optional cream cheese until blended. Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly to ensure a smooth sauce. Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet and partially cover the pan to keep warm.
  9. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta evenly. Optionally stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors, then remove from heat.
  10. Serve: Sprinkle the dish with chiffonade fresh basil leaves and serve immediately with freshly cracked black pepper on top for extra flavor.

Notes

  • You can choose any type of ground sausage you prefer: hot, sweet, or mild depending on your taste preference.
  • If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute an equal amount of chicken broth but the wine adds a depth of flavor.
  • Cream cheese is optional but highly recommended for added creaminess and smooth texture.
  • Orecchiette pasta is preferred, but any short pasta like penne or rigatoni will also work.
  • Adjust hot sauce according to your spice tolerance.
  • Fresh basil should be added right before serving to maximize its aromatic flavor.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/tomato-basil-pasta-with-sausage-and-creamy-parmesan-sauce-recipe/