Description
This easy Bow Ties with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cream recipe is a comforting and creamy pasta dish bursting with flavor. It combines perfectly cooked bow tie pasta with savory Italian sausage, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, making it ideal for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)
Sausage and Vegetables
- 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water for the sauce, and set the pasta aside.
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté garlic, onions, and tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices, forming a fresh and vibrant base.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let the mixture gently simmer for a few minutes to thicken. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine everything: Return the browned sausage to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the bow ties; al dente texture ensures the pasta won’t become mushy when combined with the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help the cream sauce cling perfectly to the pasta.
- Use quality Italian sausage for the best flavor.
- Prefer fresh cherry tomatoes over canned for natural sweetness and texture.
- Simmer the cream sauce gently to prevent curdling and ensure a silky smooth finish.
- Finish with fresh herbs to add brightness and a pop of color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg