Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this delectable Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel dish. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home, this Italian-inspired pasta is a flavorful combination of spicy Calabrian chili paste, savory sausage, and aromatic fennel, all brought together in a luscious cream sauce. This recipe is sure to become a favorite comfort food option for any pasta lover.
Ingredients
Pappardelle Pasta:
12 oz pappardelle pasta,
Olive Oil:
1 tablespoon olive oil,
Italian Sausage:
1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed),
Fennel:
1 small fennel bulb (thinly sliced),
Garlic:
3 cloves garlic (minced),
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes:
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional),
Calabrian Chili Paste:
2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste,
Dry White Wine:
1/2 cup dry white wine,
Heavy Cream:
1 cup heavy cream,
Parmesan Cheese:
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese,
Salt and Black Pepper:
to taste,
Parsley:
fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish),
Extra Parmesan:
for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pappardelle: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sear Sausage and Fennel: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Add the sliced fennel and cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), and Calabrian chili paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with white wine and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir in the heavy cream, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Toss in the cooked pappardelle and a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the noodles. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Calabrian chili paste to control the heat level.
- You can use sweet Italian sausage for a milder version or hot sausage for extra spice.
- If pappardelle isn’t available, tagliatelle or fettuccine also work well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
