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Sausage Pesto Pasta

Sausage Pesto Pasta
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Sausage Pesto Pasta is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dish combining Italian sausage, fresh basil pesto, and pasta for a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. This vibrant recipe offers a balance of savory meatiness, fresh herbs, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed in a glossy pesto sauce with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 12 oz Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), sliced into bite-size pieces
  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne, rigatoni, fusilli recommended)
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto sauce (basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, rinsed
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the Italian sausage into bite-size pieces and chop the garlic cloves. Rinse the cherry tomatoes. Set all ingredients nearby for easy access.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce later.
  3. Sauté the Sausage and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Add the chopped garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Combine Ingredients and Add Pesto: Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Mix in the cooked pasta along with a generous amount of pesto. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a light, glossy sauce.
  5. Serve Hot: Transfer the Sausage Pesto Pasta to plates or bowls. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves as garnish before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh or high-quality jarred pesto to elevate flavor.
  • Do not overcook pasta; aim for al dente for perfect texture.
  • Reserve pasta water to help sauce adhere to pasta.
  • Let sausage brown well for enhanced savory notes.
  • Add fresh vegetables like tomatoes at the end to retain color and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: sausage pesto pasta, quick pasta dinner, Italian sausage pasta, pesto pasta recipe, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://marysplate.com/sausage-pesto-pasta/