Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage
Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage marries tender pasta with browned, savory sausage in a lush, herb-forward pesto cream. The sauce is silky and aromatic, coating every bite with basil, garlic, and a hint of richness that feels comforting without being heavy. It’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal when you want bold flavor with minimal fuss.
- Prep5 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves2
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 45 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 50 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Food
- 3 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 12
- Heart Health
- 62
- Metabolic
- 27
- Digestive
- 6
- Inflammatory
- 27
- Performance
- 28
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the penne at a rolling boil, stirring now and then, until slightly firm, about 11 minutes; drain and move the pasta to a bowl.
- 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; add it to the pasta.
- 3
Whisk the pesto sauce mix, milk, and olive oil together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Lower the heat to low and keep it simmering until thickened, about 3 minutes; pour over the pasta and sausage mixture and toss to coat.
- Calories 1074.54 kcal High 54%
- Protein 38.88 g Good Source 78%
- Carbohydrate 89.0 g 32%
- Total Fat 63.38 g High 81%
- Saturated Fat 16.05 g High 80%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 74.47 mg High 25%
- Sodium 888.99 mg High 39%
- Dietary Fiber 3.49 g Moderate 12%
- Total Sugars 10.53 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 185.49 mg Moderate 14%
- Iron 2.28 mg Moderate 13%
- Potassium 236.98 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin A 78.98 mcg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin C 0.1 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 1.47 mcg Low Source 7%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage is made with 5 ingredients and serves 2. It takes about 25 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Ground Pork Sausage, Milk, Olive Oil, and Penne Pasta. Each serving provides about 1074.54 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage made of?
- The main ingredients are Ground Pork Sausage, Milk, Olive Oil, Penne Pasta, Pesto Mix. The full list of 5 is above.
- How long does it take to make Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage?
- About 25 mins in total: 5 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 1074.54 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 5 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage healthy?
- Penne with Creamy Pesto and Sausage has an easyChef Pro health score of 33/100. Per serving, it provides 1074.54 calories and 38.88 g of protein, or 78% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 888.99 mg (39% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 16.05 g (80% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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