Craving a restaurant-quality pasta dish that'll transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy? Look no further! This mouthwatering Ditali with Sweet Italian Sausage and Peas is about to become your new go-to weeknight dinner that combines rustic flavors, hearty ingredients, and pure culinary magic. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a meal so delicious, your family will think a professional chef stepped into your kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ditalini pasta
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
- 1 cup peas, frozen
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Remove sweet Italian sausage from its casing by splitting the skin and extracting the meat. Discard the casing.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and break it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon or spatula, cooking until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- In the same skillet with sausage drippings, add chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add ditalini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with sausage and onions, stirring to combine and create a cohesive sauce.
- Add frozen peas to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are heated through and bright green.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning.
- Add drained pasta directly into the skillet with sausage, peas, and marinara sauce. Toss gently to ensure even coating.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnishing each portion with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously - it should taste like the sea to properly season your pasta from the inside out.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid is a secret weapon for creating silky, clingy sauces that coat every single pasta piece.
- Break up the sausage into small, uniform crumbles for even cooking and better distribution throughout the dish.
- Don't rush the onion and garlic sautéing process - letting them develop a slight golden color builds deeper flavor complexity.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the sausage or a handful of fresh basil leaves when serving.
- Use high-quality marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the overall taste of the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 55mg
