Creamy Italian Sausage Fettuccine Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Italian Sausage Fettuccine is a comforting and rich pasta dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. Tender fettuccine tossed in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce with savory Italian sausage makes every bite satisfying and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Step 2: Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Step 3: Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
4. Step 4: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil for about a minute.
5. Step 5: Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and crumble it into the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
7. Step 7: Pour in the chicken broth carefully, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Bring to a gentle simmer.
8. Step 8: Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, mixing well.
9. Step 9: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
10. Step 10: Stir in Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
11. Step 11: Gently add the drained fettuccine to the skillet and toss until well coated. Adjust sauce thickness with reserved pasta water as needed.
12. Step 12: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
13. Step 13: Use tongs to twirl the fettuccine onto plates or into bowls, ensuring each serving has sauce and sausage.
14. Step 14: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
15. Step 15: Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Tips & Variations

• Use spicy Italian sausage for a bit of heat or mild for a gentler flavor.
• Add a handful of fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra color and taste.
• Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps loosen the sauce without watering it down.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid microwaving at high heat to keep the sauce creamy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes for this recipe?

Yes, any wide pasta like linguine, tagliatelle, or even penne works well with this creamy sausage sauce.

Do I need to use both heavy cream and chicken broth?

The chicken broth adds depth and balances the richness of the heavy cream, creating a well-rounded sauce. You can reduce broth slightly if you prefer a thicker sauce.

Creamy Italian Sausage Fettuccine Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

This Creamy Italian Sausage Fettuccine recipe offers a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner, the dish combines the bold flavors of garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning with a silky sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 ounces fettuccine pasta

Sausage and Sauce

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Set the drained pasta aside for later use.
3. Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil for about a minute. Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and crumble it into the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
4. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Deglaze Pan: Carefully pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, mixing thoroughly to combine.
7. Melt Cheese: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
8. Season Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning, and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
9. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Gently add the drained fettuccine into the skillet and toss until the pasta is well coated with the sausage cream sauce. Adjust sauce thickness by adding more reserved pasta water if needed.
10. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired.
11. Plate the Dish: Using tongs, twirl the fettuccine onto plates or into bowls, ensuring each serving is loaded with sauce and sausage pieces.
12. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top, if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

• Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
• Use mild or spicy Italian sausage based on your heat preference.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce will be less rich.
• If you want extra heat, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of crushed chili.
• Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream.

Keywords: Creamy Italian sausage pasta, fettuccine sausage recipe, easy Italian pasta, creamy sausage pasta sauce