Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Sausage
Category: Main Courses
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rigatoni Pasta | 320g |
| Sausage (removed from casing) | 250g |
| Parmigiano Reggiano DOP | 100g |
| Heavy Cream (fresh liquid) | 200g |
| Hazelnuts (roughly chopped) | 50g |
| Fresh Thyme | 1 sprig |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black Pepper | To taste |
| Pink Peppercorns | To taste |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | As needed |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Sausage:
Begin by removing the casing from the sausage. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic clove, allowing it to infuse the oil with flavor. Once the garlic is fragrant, remove it from the pan and discard. Add the sausage to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Stir occasionally and cook until the sausage is nicely browned and crispy. Remove from heat. -
Cook the Pasta:
While the sausage is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, reserve a cup of pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta. -
Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce:
In a separate saucepan, gently heat the fresh cream over low heat. Add the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and whisk continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Remove from heat. -
Combine the Pasta and Sausage:
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Pour in a small ladle of the reserved pasta cooking water and toss everything together over low heat for about a minute, allowing the flavors to meld. -
Assemble the Dish:
Turn off the heat and stir in the creamy Parmesan sauce, mixing well to coat the pasta evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. -
Serve:
Plate the creamy pasta with sausage and garnish with roughly chopped hazelnuts for a delightful crunch, a sprig or two of fresh thyme, and a sprinkle of pink peppercorns for a pop of color and flavor.
Serve immediately and enjoy this indulgent, comforting dish!
Notes:
For an extra layer of flavor, feel free to add a splash of white wine to the sausage mixture while it cooks. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with a lighter option like half-and-half.
