Italian Sausage Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce

Sauteed onion, garlic, sausage, and tomatoes with a creamy basil sauce make for a fantastic dinner!

I cannot tell you when I actually made this recipe for the first time. It seems that I really never got a good picture of it and I kept having to push off posting it until I finally got a picture. I have made multiple recipes with a creamy basil sauce and I could not resist making another one. I really enjoy this one and appreciate that it's another quick pasta dish that I can add to my collection of recipes - especially for busy days!

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What you need:

• 3 cups bowtie pasta
• 16 oz. mild ground Italian sausage
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus some
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook sausage and crumble as it browns.
3. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and add onion. Cook for about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and stir around while it cooks for 1 minute.
5. Add cherry tomatoes and season with salt. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add half and half, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese.
7. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes or until thickened.
8. Add cooked pasta and basil. Heat through for about 3 minutes.
9. Top with more fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.

Recipe from Flavor Mosaic

This one pot Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet has loads of cheese with sausage and is ready in under 30 minutes. If you're up for a fancy dinner, this Basil-Parmesan Crusted Salmon from Skinny Taste is the perfect recipe to make - you can use the oven OR an air fryer!