Creamy Sausage Penne with Mozzarella

250 grams penne pasta

5 long sausages

1 tablespoon olive oil

300 grams tomato sauce

200 ml heavy cream

150 grams grated mozzarella or other melting cheese

½ teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste

50–100 ml reserved pasta water

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the penne for about 1 minute less than the package directions, until al dente.

2. Reserve the Pasta Water

Before draining, set aside about half a cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and let it sit in the colander briefly.

3. Slice the Sausages

Cut the sausages into rounds about 1 cm thick.

4. Brown the Sausages

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for 4–5 minutes, until lightly browned.

5. Add the Tomato Sauce

Pour the tomato sauce over the sausages. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes, until it gently bubbles.

6. Add the Cream

Stir in the heavy cream until the sauce turns smooth, creamy, and orange.

7. Season

Add the black pepper. Sausage, tomato sauce, and cheese are already salty, so taste first and add salt only if needed.

8. Add the Pasta

Add the drained penne and stir until every piece is coated. If the sauce looks too thick, loosen it with a little pasta water.

9. Add the Cheese

Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the pasta.

10. Melt the Cheese

Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 3–4 minutes, until the cheese has fully melted.

11. Serve

Stir the cheese through while it's hot and stretchy, or serve straight from the pan.