Description

Learn to prepare creamy cream cheese sausage tomato pasta with this simple recipe. Perfect for family dinners or cozy evenings, it’s full of bold, savory flavors.Let me know if this works or if you need a different approach!

Ingredients

Pasta: 400g (short varieties like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work best)
Italian Sausage: 250g (spicy or mild, depending on your preference)
Cream Cheese: 200g (softened for easy mixing)
Crushed Tomatoes: 400g (or use fresh, ripe tomatoes)
Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)
Onion: 1 medium (diced)
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
Fresh Basil: A handful (chopped, for garnish)
Parmesan Cheese: 50g (grated, optional for serving)
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes to taste
Pasta Water: 1 cup (reserved from cooking)

This ingredient list ensures bold, savory flavors and a creamy, satisfying dish. Let me know if you need specific measurements or substitutions!

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce Base
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened.
- Add sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and season with salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes (optional for a spicy kick).
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Incorporate the Cream Cheese
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese. Mix until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
Serve and Garnish
- Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Enjoy
- Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy cream cheese sausage tomato pasta!

Let me know if you’d like tips or variations for the recipe!

Notes

Pasta Options: Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work best as they hold the creamy sauce well. Feel free to use gluten-free pasta if needed.
Sausage Variations: Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference. For a lighter version, turkey or chicken sausage works well too.
Tomato Alternatives: Fresh tomatoes can replace canned crushed tomatoes. Blanch, peel, and chop them for a vibrant, fresh taste.
Cream Cheese Tips: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.
Adjust Sauce Thickness: Use the reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
Spice It Up: Add more red chili flakes or use spicy sausage for an extra kick of heat.
Make It Vegetarian: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian version.
Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or water to maintain the creamy texture.

Let me know if you’d like more detailed tips or additional notes!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 mg
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg

Pasta: 400g (short varieties like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work best)

Italian Sausage: 250g (spicy or mild, depending on your preference)

Cream Cheese: 200g (softened for easy mixing)

Crushed Tomatoes: 400g (or use fresh, ripe tomatoes)

Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)

Onion: 1 medium (diced)

Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons

Fresh Basil: A handful (chopped, for garnish)

Parmesan Cheese: 50g (grated, optional for serving)

Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes to taste

Pasta Water: 1 cup (reserved from cooking)

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.

Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened.

Add sausage, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.

Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

Stir in crushed tomatoes and season with salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes (optional for a spicy kick).

Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Incorporate the Cream Cheese

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese. Mix until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.

Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.

Serve and Garnish

Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Enjoy

Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy cream cheese sausage tomato pasta!

Pasta Options: Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work best as they hold the creamy sauce well. Feel free to use gluten-free pasta if needed.

Sausage Variations: Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference. For a lighter version, turkey or chicken sausage works well too.

Tomato Alternatives: Fresh tomatoes can replace canned crushed tomatoes. Blanch, peel, and chop them for a vibrant, fresh taste.

Cream Cheese Tips: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.

Adjust Sauce Thickness: Use the reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.

Spice It Up: Add more red chili flakes or use spicy sausage for an extra kick of heat.

Make It Vegetarian: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian version.

Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or water to maintain the creamy texture.