Creamy Red Wine Sausage Pasta (Printable)

Rich, flavorful pasta with sausage, red wine, and cream in one pot.

# Components:

→ 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

# Method:

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, about 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.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely one pot, which means less cleanup and more time spent actually enjoying the meal.
  • The soy sauce adds an unexpected umami depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • You can have dinner on the table in 40 minutes without sacrificing that rich, slow-cooked flavor.
02 -
  • If your pasta isn't cooked through but the liquid is mostly gone, add a splash of broth or water and keep cooking—uncooked pasta in cream sauce is genuinely unpleasant.
  • The soy sauce is subtle, but it's what transforms this from good to memorable; don't skip it thinking it sounds weird in Italian food.
03 -
  • Keep your sausage pieces small and irregular—they cook faster and distribute more evenly throughout the dish.
  • Don't stir aggressively during the pasta cooking phase; gentle stirring prevents the bottom from sticking without breaking the noodles apart.
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