Sausage Pasta

Sausage Pasta

Al dente pasta with crumbled natural sausage, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

• Meal Type: Dinner
• Dietary: High Protein, Dairy-Free
• Main Ingredient: Natural Pork Sausage
• Servings: 4
• Cost per Serving: $7.75
• Prep Time: 25 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb natural pork sausage (casings removed)
• 400g penne or rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Nutritional yeast or dairy-free Parmesan for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in well-salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, crumbling, for 6–7 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Sauté garlic and chili flakes over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add cherry tomatoes. Cook for 4–5 minutes until they burst and release their juices.
5. Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
6. Return sausage to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to combine, adding pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Remove from heat. Fold in fresh basil. Adjust seasoning and serve immediately.

Nutrition Notes

Natural pork sausage is a rich source of protein and B vitamins. This pasta is high in protein and dairy-free. Cherry tomatoes provide lycopene and vitamin C. Using pasta water to finish the sauce creates a silky, restaurant-quality result without cream.