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pasta with sausage cheese tomatoes and bread crumbs

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

A light version of a classic, creamy Italian sausage pasta which is great for simple summer dinners.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 492 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pasta cooked, 2 minutes less than instructed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage browned and drained
  • 1 onion
  • 1/2 block Philadelphia Cream Cheese more or less as desired
  • 1/2 cup milk whole milk is best
  • 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 can petite diced tomatoes 28 oz. can, drained
  • 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend divided 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup
  • 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions
 

  • In large pasta pot, cook the noodles two minutes less than instructed for al dente pasta. They will cook more in the oven.
  • Pour off 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta, and pour into large mixing bowl.
  • Toss the pasta with the olive oil so it doesn't stick together and set aside.
  • Brown sausage in saute pan and drain on paper towels.
  • Dice the onion and add to the saute pan where you browned the sausage, and cook over medium low heat until almost transparent.
  • Add the cream cheese to the onion and stir until about halfway melted.
  • Add Italian spices, red pepper flakes and milk to the onion and cheese mixture, and stir until the cheese is mostly melted.
  • Pour the onion cheese mixture, sausage and drained, diced tomatoes over the pasta.
  • Toss these items together.
  • Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese over the pasta mixture and stir in. The cheese does not have to melt.
  • Pour the pasta into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole.
  • Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs across the top of the casserole.
  • Bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes until the sauce bubbles and the top is toasty golden.
  • Remove from oven and let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Keyword casserole, cream cheese, pasta, sausage, simple dinners, summer dishes