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Cozy Winter Pasta with Sage & Sausage

Cozy Winter Pasta with Sage & Sausage
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Cozy Winter Pasta with Sage & Sausage is a hearty, comforting dish combining savory sausage, fresh sage, and tender pasta in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for chilly evenings, this flavorful meal is easy to prepare, versatile, and ideal for both weeknight dinners and entertaining guests. Packed with protein and aromatic herbs, it delivers satisfying warmth and wintertime comfort in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Aromatics

  • 12 oz Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), sliced or crumbled
  • 2 shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Herbs and Cheese

  • 15 fresh sage leaves, picked from stems
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Sauce

  • 12 oz pasta of choice (rigatoni, penne, farfalle, or gluten-free pasta)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Finely chop the shallots or onions, mince the garlic, and pick the fresh sage leaves from their stems. Slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces or crumble if using bulk sausage. Set everything aside.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve about ½ cup of pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
  3. Sauté Sausage and Aromatics: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside. In the same skillet, add shallots and garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Add Sage and Create the Sauce: Stir in the fresh sage leaves and let them crisp slightly. Pour in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and combined into a creamy sauce.
  5. Combine Pasta, Sausage, and Sauce: Return the cooked sausage to the pan, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
  6. Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately while warm, garnished with extra Parmesan, crispy sage leaves, or chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use fresh sage leaves for the best aromatic flavor instead of dried.
  • Brown the sausage well to develop caramelized edges and enhance flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce.
  • Cook pasta al dente so it holds texture when tossed with sauce and sausage.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for smoother melting and richer taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cozy Winter Pasta, Sage and Sausage Pasta, Creamy Sausage Pasta, Italian Winter Pasta, Comfort Food Pasta

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/cozy-winter-pasta-with-sage-sausage/