Sausage and Fennel Tagliatelle

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes