Description
A flavorful Italian sausage with bow tie pasta (farfalle) recipe that combines browned sausage, savory diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. This hearty and easy-to-make skillet dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner and is finished with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 250 grams bow tie pasta (farfalle)
Sauce and Sausage
- 300 grams Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 400 grams diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the bow tie pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions (10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Remove casing from the Italian sausage, crumble it into the skillet, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant to release the flavor.
- Simmer tomato sauce: Pour the diced tomatoes into the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors, then return the cooked sausage evenly into the sauce.
- Add seasoning and basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
- Toss pasta and heat through: Add the drained bow tie pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the dish through evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- You can use spicy or mild Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Fresh basil adds brightness, but dried basil can be substituted in a pinch (use about 1 teaspoon dried).
- For a lower fat version, use turkey Italian sausage or remove excess fat while browning the sausage.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and a glass of red wine.
