Creamy Red Wine Sausage Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Rich, satisfying pasta with sausage, red wine, and cream in a savory tomato sauce

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 14 oz canned chopped tomatoes

→ Pasta

06 - 10 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)

→ Liquids

07 - 1/2 cup dry red wine
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Dairy

09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# How to Cook:

01 - Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
02 - Add the chopped onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
03 - Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
04 - Stir in the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, soy sauce, oregano, chili flakes if using, and black pepper.
05 - Add the uncooked pasta to the pot, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time actually enjoying dinner.
  • The pasta cooks right in the sauce, absorbing every rich, savory flavor without a separate boil.
  • It comes together in less than 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights when you want something that feels indulgent.
02 -
  • Don't walk away while the pasta is cooking; it needs occasional stirring or the bottom will stick and burn despite the liquid.
  • The soy sauce is not optional—it's the ingredient that makes people say they can't quite identify what makes this taste so good, and that's the point.
03 -
  • Buy whole sausages and remove the casings yourself if you have a moment; the texture of freshly removed sausage meat is noticeably better than pre-crumbled.
  • Toast a pinch of chili flakes in the pot with the sausage before adding vegetables—it wakes them up and distributes the heat more evenly.
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