Description
Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta delivers comfort and romance in one delightful dish. Rich Italian-inspired flavors and creamy textures create an irresistible meal that will charm dinner companions and spark culinary passion.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mild Italian ground sausage
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese (grated)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) ditalini pasta (cooked al dente)
- ½ cup (75 grams) sweet onion (diced small)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 milliliters) avocado oil
- 1–1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½–¾ cup (120–180 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth
- ¾–1 cup (180–240 milliliters) heavy cream
- Pinch of kosher salt (to taste)
- Few turns of cracked black pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook ditalini pasta until perfectly al dente, approximately 8-9 minutes.
- Drain pasta and lightly coat with avocado oil to prevent clumping, then reserve.
- Preheat a nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat with avocado oil.
- Introduce mild Italian ground sausage and brown thoroughly, breaking into crumbly pieces.
- Incorporate diced onions and garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce tomato paste and allow caramelization, stirring continuously to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Season the mixture with kosher salt and cracked black pepper, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Deglaze the pan with low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Reduce broth volume by half, creating an intense flavor concentration.
- Lower heat and blend heavy cream into the pan, creating a smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring thorough and even coating.
- Adjust sauce consistency with additional chicken broth if needed.
- Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle heat kick before serving warm.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook ditalini exactly al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushiness during sauce coating.
- Sausage Selection: Choose fresh ground sausage with high-quality meat for maximum flavor depth and richness in the dish.
- Cream Consistency: Keep sauce temperature low after adding cream to prevent separation and maintain smooth, silky texture.
- Flavor Boosting: Allow tomato paste to caramelize fully to develop deep, concentrated umami notes that elevate the entire pasta experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg