Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich tomato sauce with tender pork sausage and fresh fennel complements al dente tagliatelle in this simple Italian dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs pork sausage, large fennel bulb, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim and thinly slice fennel bulb, reserving fronds for garnish. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add fennel and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  3. Step 3: Add 12 oz pork sausage, breaking into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup fresh basil, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 12 oz tagliatelle in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  6. Step 6: Add drained pasta to sauce with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to coat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan until melted and creamy, adjusting consistency with more pasta water if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork sausage from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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