Description
Spicy Sausage Rotini is a comforting Italian-American pasta dish featuring al dente rotini tossed in a creamy tomato sauce with savory spicy Italian sausage, garlic, and fragrant Italian herbs. This flavorful one-pan meal comes together quickly on the stovetop, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that balances heat and creaminess with fresh herb garnish options.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Sauce and Sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (casings removed if using links)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion softens. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together so the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Allow it to simmer for an additional 2 minutes to heat through fully.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the spicy sausage rotini hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired, for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- For a milder version, substitute sweet Italian sausage and reduce the crushed red pepper flakes accordingly.
- This dish works well with other pasta shapes such as penne or rigatoni.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce with less fat.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley enhance the presentation and add freshness, but are optional.
