Name: Spicy Sausage Pasta : Creamy, Bold & Ready in 25 Minutes
Ingredients: 8 oz (225 g) penne, rigatoni, or shells; ½ lb (225 g) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste); ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half; ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ cup reserved pasta water; Salt & black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional garnish)

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz (225 g) penne, rigatoni, or shells
½ lb (225 g) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup reserved pasta water
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

- Cook Pasta
  Boil pasta in well-salted water until al dente.
  Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Brown Sausage
  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned (5–7 minutes).
- Add Garlic & Heat
  Lower heat to medium.
  Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Sauce
  Reduce heat to medium-low.
  Stir in cream, Parmesan, and ¼ cup reserved pasta water.
  Simmer gently 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine
  Add pasta to skillet and toss to coat.
  Add more pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
- Season & Serve
  Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
  Garnish with herbs and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Lower heat before adding cream to prevent curdling
Freshly grated Parmesan melts best
Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat