Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your dinner routine and tantalize your taste buds! This mouthwatering Italian-inspired pasta dish combines the hearty richness of Italian sausage, the subtle sweetness of cabbage, and the classic comfort of marinara sauce in a quick and irresistible meal that will have your family begging for seconds. In just 45 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dinner that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 pound of penne pasta, 1/2 head of green cabbage (chopped), 1 pound of Italian sausage (casings removed), 2 cups of marinara sauce, 1/4 cup of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and grated Parmesan cheese for serving.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook the sausage for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is browned and cooked through.
- Next, add the chopped cabbage to the skillet with the sausage. Stir well to combine, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cabbage has softened and wilted.
- Once the cabbage is cooked, pour in the 2 cups of marinara sauce. Stir to combine all the ingredients, and let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- When the penne pasta is ready, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sausage and cabbage mixture.
- Gently toss the pasta with the sauce, sausage, and cabbage. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up and help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the penne hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy your delicious Rao's Penne with Cabbage, Sausage, and Marinara Sauce with friends or family!
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially the Italian sausage and marinara sauce, as they are the flavor foundations of this dish.
- Don't overcook the cabbage - you want it to retain a slight crunch for textural contrast.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silkier sauce and helps the ingredients adhere better to the pasta.
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or fresh basil when serving.
- Choose a good quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best taste and melting properties.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can use turkey sausage or drain excess fat after cooking the sausage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 85mg
