A dish I learned from my good friend Andrea, who is originally from Rome but has collected unusual pasta dishes from all over Italy. This is clearly a peasant dish, but the presence of sausage, butter, and cream makes it special enough for guests. Use well-seasoned “Italian” sausage; it can be hot if you like. That made without casing—in patties or bulk—will save you a step.
Ingredients
makes about 4 servings
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta and add salt. Put the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. As it melts, crumble the sausage meat into it, making the bits 1/2 inch or less in size. Add the cream and adjust the heat so that the mixture simmers gently.
Step 2
Cook the pasta until it is tender but not at all mushy. Drain, reserving about a cup of the cooking water. Dress the pasta with the sauce, adding some of the reserved cooking liquid if necessary. Taste and adjust the seasoning, toss with the Parmesan, and serve.
Pasta with Sausage
Step 3
This is simpler, lighter, and just as good in its own way: in step 1, replace the butter with olive oil, omit the cream, and add 1/2 cup water to the sausage.
