Creamy Spaghetti with Hot Dog Sausages in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 250 g (about 9 oz) spaghetti
• 6 hot dog sausages (approx. 250 g), sliced into rounds
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 can (340 g / 12 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or light cream
• 30 g (about 1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese (for stirring in and topping)
• salt to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) reserved pasta cooking water (optional, to adjust texture)
• fresh basil leaves to finish

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente; reserve 1 tablespoon of the cooking water and drain.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and the sliced sausages; fry 4–5 minutes until they’re lightly browned.
4. Pour the tomato sauce over the sausages, stir, and simmer over medium heat 5 minutes to develop flavor.
5. Reduce the heat, add the cream and half of the grated Parmesan; stir until smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon of the reserved pasta water.
6. Adjust salt and black pepper, then add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet and toss to coat well in the sauce.
7. Serve in deep bowls with the remaining Parmesan sprinkled on top and fresh basil leaves.

Tips

• Always save a little pasta cooking water: it helps adjust sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
• For a milder flavor and better browning, use sausages that were briefly grilled or seared beforehand to reduce released moisture.
• To speed things up, use thin spaghetti (or angel hair) which cooks faster.

Variations

• Swap the spaghetti for penne or rotini for a kid-friendly shape that holds more sauce.
• Add 1/2 cup of corn or peas for a quick vegetable boost.

FAQ