The Best, Most Delicious and Easy Pasta Dinner EVER!

Let me tell you about this just a bit.  I found this recipe in a cookbook my mom gave me back in 1993.   It had a recipe called “CONCHIGLIE ALLA SALSICCIA PANNA”

(Shells with Sausages, Tomatoes and cream)

Over the years I’ve changed it a bit not for any reason other than I use it as a great weeknight supper.  It’s quick, one pot and so good.   

  This was always my daughters favorite when she was young.   

 You can easily substitute the sausage type as well.   

   Recipe can be cut in half or doubled extremely well.  This dish freezes very well too.   

Here we go -  

INGREDIENTS

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1 lb pasta (a nice hearty type )

1/2 lb Italian pork sausage

2 Tbs butter

1 tsp fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp dried, finely chopped

1 1/2 lb fresh roma tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice

pinch of red pepper flakes

salt

1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half if you don’t have heavy cream.  

1 Tb finely chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan, ramano or asiago cheese

PREPERATION

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1  Boil the sausages in water 2 to 3 minutes.  When they are cool enough to handle, slice them into thin rounds.

2  Pour 4 quarts of water into large pot and place over high heat.

3  Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat.  Add sausage and cook until lightly brown.

4  Add the rosemary, tomatoes, and 2 Tbs of water if needed.  Cook until water or excess juices have evaporated and the tomatoes have just started to break down and form a sauce. About five minutes.

5  When the water begins to boil, add 1 Tbs salt and add pasta.  Stir well.

6  Add the pepper flakes to the sauce and season lightly with salt(bearing in mind that there will be salt in sausage).  Pour in the cream and add the parsley.  Cook, stirring often, until the cream has reduced by half.  Reove from skillet and set aside.

7  When the pasta has cooked al dente, drain it and toss with sauce in the skillet( my thought is add 3/4 of pasta first to see sauce to pasta ratio) adding the grated cheese.  Taste for salt and spiciness and serve.

* for presentation grade a bit more cheese on top and finely chopped parsley.  

 * easily sub chicken sausage , vegan . Just get those nice Italian spices in there

Come on now!!! You have to admit! It sounds so good and so easy.  

This is my go to when someone tells me they are cooking for a new flame for the first time.    

Make a salad(use my dressing recipe on my site). 

have some yummy bread with oil and vinegar. Don’t forget the butter  

Have some wine and pelligrino.   

Maybe some gelato or a cannoli from your favorite bakery.  

Don't forget the Italian playlist.   

Ok then.  Your set.   

Hope you try it and love it.