Description
Hearty “creamy rotel tomato and sausage pasta” delivers bold Southern comfort with zesty spices and rich flavors. Comfort meets convenience in this one-pot wonder you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Main Ingredients:
- 16 oz penne pasta or rotini
- 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
Dairy and Cream Components:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble Italian sausage into the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until thoroughly browned and no pink remains.
- Mince garlic and add to the sausage, sautéing for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in Rotel tomatoes, stirring to combine with the sausage and garlic. Allow mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to the skillet, stirring until it begins to melt and integrate with the sausage and tomatoes.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, then sprinkle in dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until completely melted and sauce becomes uniform in texture.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. If sauce seems too thick, incorporate a bit of reserved pasta water.
- Chop fresh parsley and sprinkle over the pasta just before serving, providing a bright, fresh garnish.
- Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion is generously coated with the rich, spicy, and creamy sauce.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes to match personal spice preferences.
- Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that maintains similar flavor profiles.
- Create a gluten-free version by using alternative pasta made from chickpea, lentil, or rice flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Balance sauce consistency by reserving pasta water, which helps achieve perfect creaminess and prevents potential dryness during mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg