Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta with Savory Italian Sausage

A delightful dish that combines fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil with savory Italian sausage, perfect for weeknight meals.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Begin by cooking the pasta. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions until it reaches al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Sauté the sausage for about 5-7 minutes until it is browned and cooked through.
Once the sausage is browned, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the diced fresh tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Once cooked, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the tomato and sausage sauce. Toss until fully coated, adding some reserved pasta water if the sauce appears too thick.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

For variations, consider adding seasonal vegetables, using different pasta shapes, or making it creamy with a splash of heavy cream.

Keyword Easy