Description
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: sausage pesto pasta, quick pasta dinner, Italian sausage pasta, pesto pasta recipe, weeknight dinner
