Penne with Creamy Sausage Sauce

Ingredients

Serves 6

  • 3 tbsp. (50 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 tsp hot red chili flakes (optional)

  • 1 lb (500 g) sweet or hot Italian sausages, removed from casings and crumbled

  • 1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp (1 ml) freshly ground pepper

  • 1/4 tsp (1 ml) nutmeg

  • 1 lb (500 g) penne

  • 3 tbsp (50 ml) unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup ( 125 ml) grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 tbsp (25 ml) chopped parsley or basil

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet.

  2. Add the garlic, red chili flakes and crumbled sausage meat. Cook until all traces of pink disappear, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add the whipping cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg and bring to a boil.

  4. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes or until the cream reduces and the sauce thickens somewhat

  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water. Drain the noodles well but do not rinse.

  6. Toss the noodles with the sauce, butter, cheese and parsley.

  7. Taste and adjust seasons if necessary.