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Creamy Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage

Creamy Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage
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Creamy Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage is a warm, hearty meal that combines tender ear-shaped pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich, velvety cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting yet elegant dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or family meals, delivering delicious flavor and satisfying textures with easy-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Sausage

  • 12 oz orecchiette pasta
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)

Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Finishing Touches

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orecchiette and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
  2. Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove sausage from casings, crumble it into the pan, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  3. Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with sausage fat and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it to maintain its sweetness.
  4. Prepare the creamy sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, creating a luscious sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine pasta and sausage: Add the drained orecchiette pasta and browned sausage back into the skillet. Toss everything together gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach a smooth, creamy consistency that coats every piece.
  6. Finish with fresh herbs: Fold in chopped fresh parsley or basil right before serving to add a fresh and vibrant note that brightens the creamy richness.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water to loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
  • Use good quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
  • Cook pasta to slightly firm (al dente) to prevent mushiness.
  • Gently toast garlic to avoid bitterness.
  • Add Parmesan cheese at the end to keep sauce silky and prevent clumping.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy pasta, Orecchiette, Sausage pasta, Italian sausage recipe, Quick dinner, Comfort food, Family meal

Find it online: https://marysplate.com/creamy-orecchiette-pasta-with-sausage/