ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PENNE PASTA

Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta image

Provided by Victoria Ross

Categories Pasta

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 16 oz box of penne pasta white or tricolor
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb sweet italian sausage links, casings removed and crumbled
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 c diced red onion
4 clove garlic, minced
1 c sliced mushrooms
1 Tbsp butter
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream or you can use half and half( i used heavy cream)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese
shredded parmesan for topping
parsley, fresh or dried for sprinkling

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage and crushed red pepper. Cook until sausage is no longer pink, stirring frequently about 8 minutes. While your sausage is cooking, start your water for your pasta to cook in. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat and cook mushrooms until they begin to brown.
2. Add onion and garlic to sausage in skillet. Cook until onion is tender and sausage is light brown, stirring occasionally. When your pasta water comes to a boil, cook penne to desired doneness. When pasta is done drain well and return to cooking pot.
3. Add tomatoes, cream, salt, pepper, Italian Seasoning, and browned mushrooms to sausage in skillet. Stir to mix and then add the 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese and stir. Simmer until mixture slightly thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. When sausage mixture has thickened and looking yummy add it to drained pasta in the large pot. Give it a good stir to get a good mixture of ingredients. Plate your serving and sprinkle with desired amount of parsley and shredded parmesan. Enjoy, I know I do!