Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup pesto sauce
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Preparation Time:

• 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 20 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, pesto sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss to coat.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 cup):

• Calories: 500
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Protein: 30g

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and creamy
• Flavorful with a blend of pesto, sausage, and sun-dried tomatoes
• Easy to prepare and perfect for a crowd

User Comments:

• "This is my go-to pasta dish for potlucks and family gatherings. It's always a hit!"
• "The combination of the creamy sauce and the savory sausage is perfect."
• "I love that it can be made with ingredients I can easily find at my local grocery store."
• "The dish is so easy to prepare, but it tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have pesto sauce on hand, you can make your own by combining fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and salt in a food processor.
• To make the dish vegetarian, omit the sausage and add extra vegetables, such as sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.