This Quick Smoked Sausage Pasta Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

If you need a fast and filling dinner, this simple skillet pasta is the perfect solution. Frying the smoked sausage with garlic unlocks a ton of flavor before you stir in the cream and melted cheese.

Here’s what you need: 7 oz (200g) of pasta, 3.5 oz (100g) of smoked sausage (sliced thin), 1 medium tomato (about 180g), ⅔ cup (150ml) of heavy cream (20% fat), 3.5 oz (100g) of hard cheese (like Parmesan or Cheddar), 1 small red onion, 1 clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of dried basil, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and fresh parsley or cilantro for serving.

Peel and finely dice the red onion and garlic. Slice your smoked sausage into thin, bite-sized rounds.

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion, garlic, and sausage slices, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sausage is lightly browned and aromatic.

Score the skin of the tomato and submerge it in boiling water for 1 minute so the peel slides off easily. Discard the skin, dice the tomato flesh into small cubes, and add it directly to the skillet. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the dried basil, half of the salt, and the black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently on medium heat for about 7 to 8 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Meanwhile, bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil in a separate pot, add the remaining salt, and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta through a colander and dump it straight into the skillet with the bubbling sauce, tossing well to coat.

Grate the cheese on a coarse grater, sprinkle it all over the hot pasta, and stir continuously for about 1 minute until everything melts together into a gooey, uniform glaze. Serve immediately, topped with a handful of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro.