Description
This Italian Sausage Penne Pasta is a cozy, weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender penne is tossed in a rich, tomato-based sausage sauce, scented with garlic, onion, and classic Italian herbs. Finished with Parmesan and fresh basil, it’s hearty, satisfying, and full of comforting flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet with the sausage-tomato sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Reserve a bit of pasta water to help loosen the sauce and make it cling beautifully to the penne.
- Adjust spice level by choosing mild or hot Italian sausage, or mix the two for balance.
- For a creamier version, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 820 mg (approx.)
- Fat: 20 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g (approx.)
- Carbohydrates: 52 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 4 g (approx.)
- Protein: 22 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 55 mg (approx.)
Keywords: Italian sausage penne pasta, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, sausage pasta, 30 minute meal