Description
Hearty Rotel sausage pasta delivers a symphony of spicy, creamy comfort perfect for weeknight dinners. Cheese-laden and rich, this Southern-inspired dish promises a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 1 pound ground sausage (mild or spicy)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Vegetables, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (10 ounces / 280 grams) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water following package guidelines until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully preserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and aromatic, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce ground sausage into the skillet, methodically crumbling meat while browning completely. Eliminate excess grease to prevent sauce from becoming oily.
- Incorporate Rotel tomatoes, green chilies, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper. Allow ingredients to meld together for 2-3 minutes, intensifying overall flavor profile.
- Reduce cooking temperature to low. Stream heavy cream and chicken broth into the mixture, creating a luxurious base. Gently simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Gradually sprinkle shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese, continuously stirring until completely dissolved and sauce reaches a silky consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta strand becomes thoroughly coated. If sauce appears too dense, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired texture.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes to match your spice preference.
- Swap ground sausage with turkey sausage or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising flavor complexity.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as the starchy liquid helps create a smoother, silkier sauce consistency when needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg