Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta is the perfect blend of savory flavors and indulgent textures. The richness of the heavy cream and parmesan creates a velvety sauce that clings to every piece of pasta, while the mild Italian sausage brings a hearty, flavorful kick. The dish is balanced with the freshness of sautéed onions and garlic, making every bite satisfying. Ideal for weeknight dinners or even a casual weekend meal, this pasta is sure to impress. It’s a quick and easy recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavor, leaving everyone at the table asking for seconds. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this dish is a guaranteed hit.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta, cooked al dente
- 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 8 ounces mild Italian ground sausage
- ½ cup sweet onion, diced small
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
- Pinch of kosher salt, to taste
- Few turns cracked black pepper, to taste
- ½ – ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¾ – 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Red pepper flakes (optional garnish)
Directions:
- Boil a pot of water, season with kosher salt, and cook the ditalini pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside with a drizzle of avocado oil.
- In a large sauté pan, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the mild Italian sausage and cook until browned.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent.
- Stir in the tomato paste and allow it to caramelize for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, reducing by half.
- Lower heat to medium, add heavy cream, and stir well.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted. Add the cooked ditalini pasta and toss to coat.
- If the sauce thickens too much, loosen with additional broth. Garnish with red pepper flakes and serve.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 655 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Dish for All Occasions
If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful, and easy-to-make pasta dish, look no further than Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta. This recipe is a delightful combination of hearty sausage, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked ditalini pasta, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. With minimal prep time and accessible ingredients, it’s the kind of meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the origins, flavor profiles, preparation tips, and even some possible variations you can try. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is approachable yet impressive enough to wow your family and friends.
Origins of Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
You may have heard of “Marry Me Chicken,” a popular dish known for being so delicious that it might inspire a marriage proposal. The creamy, savory sauce of that dish has inspired various iterations across pasta recipes, and that’s how we get to this “Marry Me” Ditalini Sausage Pasta.
The dish takes the beloved elements of creamy pasta sauces and adds hearty Italian sausage and tender ditalini pasta to create something truly special. Ditalini, a short tube-shaped pasta, is ideal for capturing every bit of the creamy sauce, ensuring that each bite is flavorful. The result is a dish that’s indulgent yet balanced, rich yet easy to make—perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients
One of the best parts about this pasta recipe is its simplicity. The ingredients are straightforward and can be easily found at your local grocery store. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
- Ditalini Pasta: The star of the show, ditalini pasta is a short, tube-shaped pasta that holds the creamy sauce perfectly. You can substitute it with other short pasta shapes like penne, macaroni, or bowtie if ditalini is unavailable.
- Italian Sausage: Mild Italian sausage adds a flavorful, meaty richness to the dish. If you prefer a bit more heat, you can use spicy Italian sausage or mix both mild and spicy varieties for a more complex flavor profile.
- Heavy Cream: The heavy cream gives the sauce its rich and velvety texture. If you want a lighter version, you can substitute with half-and-half or even whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy and more liquid.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan adds a sharp, salty depth to the sauce. Make sure to use a good-quality parmesan for the best flavor.
- Tomato Paste: A small amount of tomato paste provides a subtle sweetness and helps balance the richness of the cream and sausage.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatics form the base of the sauce, adding layers of flavor that enhance the sausage and cream.
- Avocado Oil: Used to sauté the sausage and vegetables, avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking. It also has a neutral flavor, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cooking your ditalini pasta until it’s al dente. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes, depending on the brand. Al dente means the pasta should have a slight bite to it, which works perfectly for this dish because it will continue to cook slightly once it’s tossed with the sauce. After draining the pasta, drizzle a small amount of avocado oil over it to prevent sticking while you prepare the sauce.
Step 2: Sauté the Sausage
In a large sauté pan, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the mild Italian sausage. Sauté until the sausage is browned and slightly crispy around the edges. This step is crucial as it renders the fat from the sausage, which will be absorbed into the sauce later. Be sure to break up the sausage into small pieces as it cooks for even distribution throughout the pasta.
Step 3: Add Aromatics and Tomato Paste
After the sausage is cooked, add diced onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Next, stir in the tomato paste and allow it to caramelize for an additional 2-3 minutes. Caramelizing the tomato paste helps develop a deeper, sweeter flavor that complements the richness of the sausage and cream.
Step 4: Deglaze and Create the Sauce
Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the broth reduce by half before lowering the heat and adding the heavy cream. Stir well, ensuring the sausage and aromatics are fully incorporated into the sauce. Once the cream has heated through, add grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Finally, add the cooked ditalini pasta to the sauce and toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash more chicken broth to loosen it. Serve immediately, garnished with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons why this dish will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation. First and foremost, it’s incredibly satisfying. The creamy sauce paired with the savory sausage creates a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for any time of year. It’s a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will love, and it’s easy to customize.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly grated parmesan and minced garlic will elevate the flavor of your sauce significantly. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly, so grating your own is worth the extra effort.
- Watch the Heat: When making the sauce, keep the heat medium to low once you add the cream. High heat can cause the cream to curdle, so gentle simmering is best for a smooth, luscious sauce.
- Balance the Flavors: Don’t be afraid to taste as you go. If the sauce feels too rich, adding a bit more broth or a splash of lemon juice can help balance it out.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the great things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it to suit your preferences or dietary needs:
- Vegetarian: Swap the sausage for a plant-based alternative or simply omit it altogether. You can add more vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or peas to bulk up the dish.
- Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, use spicy Italian sausage or add more red pepper flakes at the end. You can also stir in a spoonful of chili oil for an extra kick.
- Lighter Version: For a lighter option, use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. You can also use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner protein choice.
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, add a small splash of chicken broth to help reconstitute the sauce. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Conclusion:
This delicious pasta dish is perfect for nearly any occasion, and with these tips and variations, you can truly make it your own. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or something a bit more indulgent, Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta is sure to impress!