Salsiccia pasta

Cooking time 30 min
Salsiccia pasta

Transport yourself to the tasty kitchens of Italy with our recipe for delicious salsiccia pasta. Rich Italian sausage mingles with a velvety tomato sauce, deepened with fennel, garlic, and the heat from chilli flakes. Tossed with tender pasta and finished with Parmesan and parsley, this recipe is an excellent choice for a cosy dinner with family and friends.

Ingredients

Shallot
1
Carrot
1
Fennel
1
Garlic cloves
2
Cocktail tomatoes
10
Butter
25 g
Fresh salsiccia
300 g
Pasta, for example, rigatoni or pappardelle
400 g
Tomato purée
2 tbsp
Chilli flakes
0.5 - 1 tsp
White wine
50 ml
Sour cream
300 ml
Sugar
½ tsp
Salt
1 tsp

To serve:

Parmesan cheese
80 g
Leaf parsley

Instructions

  • Peel and thinly slice the onion and carrot. Trim and slice the fennel, finely chop the garlic, and halve the tomatoes.
  • Heat butter in a frying pan. Sauté onion, carrot, fennel, garlic, and tomatoes for about 5 minutes.
  • Cut a slit in the salsiccia sausage and remove the filling. Add it to the pan and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Fry for 4–5 minutes.
  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.
  • Stir tomato purée, chilli flakes, white wine, and sour cream into the pan with the sausage. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with sugar and salt. Mix the drained pasta into the sauce.
  • Top the salsiccia pasta with grated Parmesan and coarsely chopped parsley.
Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Cheese bread
1 h
Cheese bread
(1)
Enjoy!

Reserve the pasta water

Before draining your pasta, set aside a cup of the cooking water. This starchy water is a key ingredient in many Italian recipes because it helps bind the sauce to the pasta. When you combine the pasta and sauce, gradually add the reserved water, stirring as you go. The starch in the water gives the sauce a silky texture, ensuring it clings evenly to every pasta strand.

Cook pasta to al dente perfection

Cook your pasta al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite, offering a slight chew rather than being soft or mushy. To achieve this, boil your pasta in salted water and start tasting it a minute or two before the recommended cooking time on the package. Once it reaches the perfect texture, drain it and mix it with your sauce.

Try different pasta shapes

Rigatoni and pappardelle are excellent choices for this recipe, as their shapes hold the creamy sausage sauce exceptionally well. Rigatoni’s ridges catch the sauce, while pappardelle’s wide, flat ribbons provide a broad surface area that allows the sauce to cling evenly to it. You can also use tagliatelle or orecchiette. Tagliatelle has a similar wide shape to pappardelle, while orecchiette creates small "cups" that cradle the rich sauce.

FAQ: Questions about salsiccia pasta

If you are curious about making salsiccia pasta, these answers to commonly asked questions will help you on your way. From choosing the right ingredients to storing leftovers, we cover the most important aspects.

What type of sausage is best for salsiccia pasta?

For a traditional experience, select fennel-flavoured salsiccia, often called salsiccia con finocchio. This variety is widely used across Italy, especially in classic recipes, and its sweet fennel seeds give the sausage a distinctive flavour. If you prefer something with a bit of heat, try salsiccia peperoncino, which is seasoned with chilli peppers for a mild to medium spiciness.

What can I serve with salsiccia pasta?

Top your salsiccia pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, nutty flavour and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a fresh, herbal note that balances the richness of the sauce. You can also serve the pasta with a crisp side salad dressed in a light vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast, or enjoy it with garlic bread, which is ideal for soaking up the sauce.

How should I store and reheat salsiccia pasta?

Store any leftover salsiccia pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm it on the stove and add a splash of water or broth to bring the sauce back to its smooth consistency.

Nutritional values

Nutritional value, per

3459 Kcal

Fibre 31 gram fibers
Protein 167.5 gram
Carbohydrates 342.6 gram
Fat 152.9 gram

Rich salsiccia pasta with crisp vegetables

Salsiccia pasta, also known as pasta con salsiccia, proves that you do not need a long list of ingredients to make something special. Salsiccia is a traditional Italian sausage packed with fennel, garlic, and just the right amount of spice to bring serious flavour to the table. Paired with al dente pasta, carrot, fennel, and a creamy tomato sauce, it is the kind of meal that keeps you coming back for more.

Classic tomato flavour with a hint of chilli

Tomato puree, sour cream, and some white wine work together to create a rich sauce that envelops the pasta without adding heaviness. A pinch of chilli flakes adds a little heat without overpowering other flavours. The sauce clings to every strand of pasta, making you want to savour each forkful a little longer.

Plenty of grated Parmesan and fresh parsley for a final touch

No serving of salsiccia pasta is complete without grated Parmesan and fresh parsley. The Parmesan melts slightly into the sauce, adding salty richness and nutty notes that complement the sausage and velvety tomato base. Fresh parsley brings a fresh, herbal kick that brightens the whole plate.

A taste of Italy for the whole family

This recipe lets you enjoy the cosy atmosphere of an Italian trattoria without leaving your home. The salsiccia pasta is a modern twist on classic Italian flavours, blending rich tomato sauce, aromatic sausage, and tender pasta into a family favourite everyone will look forward to.

Ready in just 30 minutes, it is a lifesaver for busy weekdays when you want something quick but still packed with flavour. It is hearty enough to satisfy big appetites but easy enough to make without any stress.

If you are searching for quick and easy dinner recipes, why not try cheesy mozzarella chicken, tasty pasta with chanterelles, or fried rice with chicken?

Shake things up

Try experimenting with different flavours and ingredients to take this recipe in a new direction. Craving some heat? Add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes for a spicy kick. Want to sneak in more vegetables? Sautéed mushrooms bring an earthy taste, while roasted red peppers offer a gentle sweetness that balances the sauce's richness.

Stir fresh basil into the sauce just before serving to add a bright, herbal note that lifts the overall flavour. Garnish with more basil leaves on top for an extra layer of taste. Want a cheesy upgrade? Swap Parmesan for grated Pecorino Romano. Its sharper, saltier character enhances the sausage and creamy tomato sauce, adding an extra flavour to every bite.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/salsiccia-pasta/