Description
A quick and easy spicy bratwurst pasta dish featuring a creamy, flavorful sauce. This one-pan meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bratwurst, casings removed
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bratwurst and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the bratwurst from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the cooked bratwurst to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine, coating everything in the spicy cream sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the spicy bratwurst pasta immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For an extra spicy kick, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute other types of sausage for the bratwurst.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg