Description
Sausage Nduja Pasta is a flavorful and creamy Italian-inspired dish that combines spicy ‘Nduja sausage with tender pasta in a rich Parmesan sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and herbaceous freshness, ideal for a quick yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 oz (225g) ‘Nduja sausage (or spicy Italian sausage/chorizo as substitute)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Salt and 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 pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Brown the ‘Nduja: Add the ‘Nduja sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly crispy and the fat releases. If using a substitute sausage, cook until browned and crumbly.
- Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Stir in minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze with Wine (Optional): Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the skillet bottom. Let the wine cook off for 1-2 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick to loosen it as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce, coating the noodles evenly. Use more pasta water if necessary to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta with extra Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley for garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute ‘Nduja with spicy Italian sausage or chorizo if unavailable.
- For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted based on your preference for heat.
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Add fresh herbs as a finishing touch to brighten up the dish.
