Description
A flavorful and creamy Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, tangy lemon, and rich Parmesan in a luscious sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that combines zest, spice, and comfort all in one skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
Sauce and Sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Additional Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set pasta aside.
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté garlic and spices: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the liquid simmer for 2–3 minutes until reduced slightly.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 minutes to thicken the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add small splashes of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your liking.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and mix. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese as desired.
Notes
- You can use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter protein option while keeping flavor.
- For added veggies, stir in fresh spinach or peas during the final cooking step until just wilted.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
