Creamy Cheesy Sausage Pasta

Name: Creamy Cheesy Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 250 g penne pasta; 5 full-size sausages or hot dogs; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 300 g tomato sauce; 200 ml cooking cream or heavy cream; 150 g shredded mozzarella or mild cheddar cheese; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; Salt, to taste; 50–100 ml reserved pasta water

Creamy Cheesy Sausage Pasta is an easy one-pan meal made with browned sausage slices, tomato sauce, cream and plenty of melted cheese. The rich tomato cream sauce coats every piece of penne, while melted mozzarella creates an irresistible cheese pull. Ready in only 30 minutes, this comforting pasta is perfect for quick weeknight dinners and satisfying family meals.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Method

1. Cook the Pasta

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it lightly with salt. Cook the penne for approximately 1 minute less than the time stated on the package, leaving it slightly firm.

2. Reserve the Pasta Water

Step 2

Before draining the pasta, reserve approximately ½ cup of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and set it aside briefly.

3. Slice the Sausages

Step 3

Cut the sausages into round slices approximately 1 cm thick.

4. Brown the Sausages

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced sausages and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.

5. Add the Tomato Sauce

Step 5

Pour the tomato sauce over the browned sausages. Stir and allow the sauce to simmer gently for approximately 2 minutes.

6. Pour in the Cream

Step 6

Add the cream to the pan. Stir until the tomato sauce and cream are fully combined into a smooth orange-coloured sauce.

7. Season the Sauce

Step 7

Add the black pepper. Taste the sauce before adding salt, as the sausages, tomato sauce and cheese may already contain enough seasoning.

8. Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Step 8

Add the drained penne to the pan. Stir until every piece is evenly coated in the creamy tomato sauce. Add a small amount of the reserved pasta water when necessary to loosen the sauce.

9. Add the Cheese

Step 9

Spread the shredded mozzarella or cheddar evenly over the pasta.

10. Melt the Cheese

Step 10

Cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat for 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.

11. Serve

Step 11

Stir the melted cheese through the pasta or serve directly from the pan while the cheese is still hot and stretchy.