Description
This Sausage and Pea Pasta recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender orecchiette pasta combined with savory sweet Italian sausage, sweet peas, and a creamy tomato sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a comforting dish topped with fresh Parmesan cheese that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound dry orecchiette pasta (or short pasta of your choice)
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage links, casings removed
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- â…› teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup frozen sweet baby peas, thawed
- â…“ cup heavy cream
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage and Sauté Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sausage, breaking up the sausage into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Sauté until sausage is cooked through with no pink remaining and onions are softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Drain off any excess fat.
- Season and Simmer Sauce: Season the skillet mixture with dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add the canned diced tomatoes with their liquid and the low-sodium chicken broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for about 5 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
- Add Peas and Cream: Stir in the thawed sweet baby peas and heavy cream. Mix well and warm through to combine all the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot or skillet, and toss well with the sausage and pea sauce mixture until fully combined and heated through.
- Serve: Divide the pasta among shallow bowls and finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For added heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute sweet Italian sausage with spicy Italian sausage or ground turkey for a leaner option.
- If fresh peas are available, they can be used instead of frozen for a fresher flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta if a gluten-free version is desired.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop; add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
