Description
This Spicy Sausage Rotini is a flavorful and comforting pasta dish featuring Italian sausage simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with a kick of heat from green chilies and crushed red pepper flakes. Quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe balances spicy, savory, and creamy flavors for a delicious meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or mild, depending on preference)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (or use plain diced tomatoes + 1 tsp chili flakes)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust based on spice preference)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies (or plain diced tomatoes plus chili flakes), chicken broth, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked rotini to the skillet and toss them together to coat the pasta evenly with the sausage cream sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve the Spicy Sausage Rotini hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a milder dish, use mild Italian sausage or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Parmesan cheese and parsley are optional but add great flavor and freshness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
