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Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
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Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta

A quick and easy pasta dish featuring ditalini, Italian sausage, and a creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce. This comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 655kcal

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

  • 8 ounces ditalini pasta cooked al dente
  • 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil

For the Sauce:

  • 8 ounces mild Italian ground sausage
  • ½ cup sweet onion diced small
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 –1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
  • Pinch of kosher salt to taste
  • Few turns of cracked black pepper to taste
  • ½ –¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • ¾ –1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Optional Garnish:

  • Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Make the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season generously with kosher salt, and cook the ditalini pasta according to the package instructions, ensuring it's al dente.
  • Drain the pasta using a colander, drizzle with a little avocado oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.

Cook the Sausage and Aromatics:

  • Heat a nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the mild Italian ground sausage and sauté until golden brown.
  • Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Caramelize the Tomato Paste:

  • Stir in the tomato paste and let it caramelize for 2-3 minutes to enhance its flavor.
  • Season with a pinch of kosher salt and a few turns of cracked black pepper.

Deglaze and Make the Sauce:

  • Deglaze the pan by adding the low-sodium chicken broth. Stir and let the broth reduce by half.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to create a creamy base.

Incorporate Cheese and Pasta:

  • Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted.
  • Toss in the cooked pasta and stir until well-coated in the sauce.

Adjust Consistency:

  • If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.

Garnish and Serve:

  • Garnish with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days and reheat with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Cheese Swap: Substitute Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
Adjust Consistency: Thin the sauce with chicken broth if it becomes too thick.