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I still can’t figure out why the first of the school year is so crazy busy.  Its not as if I haven’t done this for years and years and years, but every year I feel like I am running around with my hair on fire in Sept trying to get my to-do list done before my employers get home from school. Because once they get home the real work starts with driving all over town, appointments to get to, yelling, cooking dinner, yelling, helping with homework, yelling, bedtime… so what I need is EASY dinners to get on the table in a short amount of time. And I need to be able to make dinner and still drink my glass of wine so it better be simple.  This recipe for One Pot Creamy Pasta with Italian Sausage is just that-SIMPLE. Serve this with a side salad and some fresh bread and dinner is served! And the best part is you only use ONE POT so clean up is quick.

Use a large deep pot with a lid for this recipe. If you don’t already have a dutch oven (basically a heavy bottomed pot with a lid that is oven proof) you need to get one ASAP!  I use my Le Creuset pot at least three times a week.  They are an investment, but you will use this thing so much. Its one of the kitchen must haves along with a cast iron skillet and a great chefs knife. I will put a link to a Le Creuset pot in my needed items list.

Enjoy this recipe and send me your thoughts and ideas!

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One Pot Creamy Pasta with Italian Sausage

A SIMPLE weeknight recipe that uses only one pot so clean up is quick! 

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb. ground sweet Italian sausage (you can use hot as well)
  • 16 oz jarred pasta sauce
  • 3 cups Water
  • 8 oz short pasta (fusicili, penne)-only use half the box
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat oil over medium high heat in a large pot with a lid.

  2. Add onions and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and cook for about 2 minutes.  Do not let the garlic burn. 

  3. Add sausage and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. 

  4. Pour the pasta sauce and water into pot along with uncooked pasta. Stir until well combined. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes stirring frequently until the pasta is cooked to al dente. 

  5. If the sauce gets too thick just add a little bit of water to thin it out until the pasta is cooked. 

  6. When the pasta is al dente (has a little bit of a bite to it-not mushy) stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper.

  7. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and basil. 

Needed Items