Description
This Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sausage Pasta combines flavorful sausage, tangy BBQ sauce, and a creamy pasta to create a deliciously satisfying dish. It’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner with bold flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta (or any pasta of choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (bulk or casings removed)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for added creaminess)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Cook the sausage:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes). Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the sauce:
- Add the BBQ sauce and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir to combine, and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Combine the pasta and sausage:
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Stir in the mozzarella cheese (if using) and let it melt into the sauce for extra creaminess. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Garnish the pasta with fresh parsley or basil and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
- You can also use turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg