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Rattlesnake Pasta

Rattlesnake Pasta
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Rattlesnake Pasta is a quick, bold, and savory pasta dish combining spicy sausage, tangy crushed tomatoes, and creamy cheese for a comforting yet adventurous meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry staples and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Meats & Proteins

  • 8 oz spicy Italian sausage (crumbled)

Pasta

  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta

Aromatics & Vegetables

  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Tomato & Sauce Ingredients

  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cheese & Garnishes

  • 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar, or pepper jack/smoked gouda for variation)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  2. Sauté aromatics and sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Crumble in the spicy sausage and cook thoroughly until browned and slightly crisp, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Build the sauce: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Stir in red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to combine well. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if necessary. Stir in the shredded cheese until it melts into a creamy finish.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley over the top. Serve the pasta hot with optional extra cheese or a squeeze of lemon for brightness if desired.

Notes

  • Choose corkscrew or tube-shaped pasta to hold sauce well.
  • Brown sausage well to enhance flavor and texture.
  • Use fresh garlic and herbs for best flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes gradually to control spice level.

Nutrition

Keywords: rattlesnake pasta, spicy sausage pasta, quick pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, creamy tomato pasta

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