Quick and Easy Penne With Sausage, Mushroom Cream Sauce

A slight variation from a Bon Appetite recipe from March 2000. It is made in under 30 minutes - perfect for a weekday meal yet satisfying enough to serve to friends for a casual weekend meal.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  lb  sweet sausage, casings removed
• 3⁄4 lb baby portabella mushrooms, chopped & sliced
• 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3⁄4 cup  canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3⁄4 cup  whipping cream
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  lb penne
• 1  cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat saute sausage (casings removed) until crumbled and brown.
2. Remove to a paper towel-lined dish with a slotted spoon.
3. Add butter, mushrooms and crushed red pepper to same skillet and saute in sausage drippings.
4. Cover, cook until mushrooms are tender - about 5 minutes.
5. Add chicken broth and whipping cream to skillet - reduce heat to low. Occasionally stirring as sauce thickens.
6. In different pot, cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain pasta. Return to same pot.
7. Add sausage, mushroom mixture, and cheese to pasta.
8. Toss over medium heat, until pasta is coated and sauce begins to thicken.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. **Add more chicken broth if sauce seems dry.