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This Creamy Italian Sausage Ditalini has become our signature family comfort dish. The combination of petite pasta, savory sausage, and velvety tomato cream sauce creates something truly memorable in just half an hour. The recipe earned its endearing name after serving it to my spouse who was completely won over by the flavors.
What Makes It Special
The magic happens when the silky sauce perfectly coats each tiny pasta shape. Italian sausage provides rich flavor while tomato paste and aged parmesan create incredible depth. Fresh vegetables like spinach or peas can be seamlessly incorporated, making this dish both comforting and nourishing.
Key Ingredients
- Ditalini pasta: These small tube shapes capture sauce beautifully
- Avocado oil: Neutral flavor perfect for high-heat cooking
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy based on preference
- Aromatics: Sweet onion and fresh minced garlic
- Tomato paste: Gets caramelized for deep flavor
- Seasonings: Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
- Chicken stock: Unsalted for proper seasoning control
- Heavy cream: Creates luxurious texture
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for best melting
- Red pepper flakes: Optional heat to taste
Cooking Method
- Cook Pasta
- Boil generously salted water and cook ditalini until al dente. Toss with a touch of oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown Sausage
- Cook Italian sausage until golden and crispy in spots.
- Sauté Aromatics
- Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Develop Flavor Base
- Caramelize tomato paste thoroughly for optimal depth.
- Create Sauce
- Deglaze with stock, reduce, then incorporate cream.
- Finish Dish
- Stir in parmesan and pasta, adding chili flakes if desired.
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Essential Tips
Keep pasta slightly firm as it continues cooking in sauce. Take time to properly caramelize tomato paste for best results. Adjust sauce consistency with additional stock if needed. These techniques ensure consistently excellent results.
Storage Guidelines
Stores well refrigerated for 3-4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of stock to restore creamy texture. Many find the flavors develop further overnight.
Customization Options
This versatile recipe welcomes adaptation. Different pasta shapes work equally well. Various vegetables can be incorporated seamlessly. Adjust sausage spice level to taste. The base recipe provides an excellent foundation for personalization.
About the Oil Choice
Avocado oil provides ideal high-heat performance with neutral flavor that lets other ingredients shine. While olive oil can substitute, avocado oil's clean taste and superior heat tolerance make it particularly well-suited for this dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short pasta shapes can be substituted freely. Half-and-half provides a lighter alternative to cream. Never skip the tomato paste caramelization step as it develops essential flavor complexity. Attention to these details elevates the final result.
Serving Suggestions
Pairs beautifully with crusty garlic bread and crisp green salad. A chilled white wine complements the rich flavors perfectly. This crowd-pleasing dish consistently draws appreciation from guests.
Required Equipment
Basic kitchen tools suffice - large pasta pot, heavy-bottomed sauté pan, and sturdy colander. A silicone spatula prevents scratching pans while mixing. Quality whisk ensures smooth sauce incorporation.
The Perfect Comfort Dish
This recipe exemplifies classic comfort cooking. The harmonious blend of ingredients creates a satisfying meal that brings warmth to any occasion. Each element contributes to a dish that consistently delivers both comfort and excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the advantage of al dente pasta?
Pasta cooked al dente holds its texture better when mixed with sauce and doesn’t get mushy, plus it finishes cooking as it sits with the sauce.
- → Why bother caramelizing tomato paste?
It’s all about flavor! Cooking it for a few minutes deepens the flavor and removes its raw taste, which gives the sauce a richer quality.
- → How do I tweak the sauce consistency?
If your sauce turns out thicker than you’d like, just pour in a little more chicken broth until it’s the way you want it.
- → Do I have to use ditalini pasta?
Not at all! Any small pasta that holds sauce well will do the trick if you don’t have ditalini on hand.
- → What if I want it spicier?
Easy fix! You can use spicy sausage instead of mild, or sprinkle in more red chili flakes to your liking.
Conclusion
In just 35 minutes, create this ultimate comfort meal with perfectly cooked ditalini pasta and hearty sausage, coated in a parmesan cream sauce. Think of it as a gourmet version of a classic homemade favorite.