Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
A fast and comforting pasta dish featuring small ditalini noodles in a rich tomato cream sauce with mild Italian sausage, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
- 8 oz ditalini pasta Substitute for small shells, elbow macaroni, or orzo if necessary.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage Can swap for turkey or plant-based sausage.
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste Toast briefly to deepen flavor.
- ½ tsp kosher salt Adjust to taste.
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half.
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Use freshly grated for better melting.
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) For added heat.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini one minute shy of package directions for al dente; drain and set aside.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Add the ground sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Brown until cooked through and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring often to deepen its flavor.
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Lower the heat to gentle and stir in the heavy cream. Add the grated Parmesan and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add the cooked ditalini and stir to coat. Heat for 1–2 minutes until piping hot.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
For meal prep, components can be made ahead and reheated together. Pair with a salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. Follow storage and reheating tips for leftovers.