Tomato Basil Pasta

You can omit cream cheese if needed, though it adds richness to the tomato sauce.

Yes. You can use chicken broth instead of dry white wine for deglazing the sausage skillet.

Stack the leaves gently, roll them together and slice them into thin ribbons with a sharp knife.

You can use other shapes, including medium shells, rotini and penne, instead of orecchiette.

Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.

Pro Tips: Hot Sauce/Dijon Mustard/Soy Sauce: These are all flavor enhancers in the sauce that you can't taste outright, but they really round out the flavor profile. Hot sauce elevates the other flavors, Dijon adds a hint of tang and acidity, and Soy sauce adds umami. Worcestershire sauce can be used instead of soy sauce if needed. Sausage: I use Jimmy Dean regular sausage in this recipe, it's delicious. Wine: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc are my go-to dry white wines for this recipe. My next recommendation would be non-alcoholic white wine, which is widely available. While the wine does really elevate this, chicken broth can be used instead. Parmesan: Grate the Parmesan from a block to ensure it melts well into the sauce and tastes the best. I use Belgioioso Parmesan cheese. (Packaged cheeses have anti-caking agents that prevent them from clumping in the packaging, but it also prevents them from melting as well in soups/sauces.) Cream Cheese: This can be omitted if needed but it really adds a little something. I find that Philadelphia cream cheese from a tub (vs. a block), melts the best. Tomatoes: Feel free to halve them depending on their size and your preference. You can also use drained canned tomatoes. Rotel is a nice addition and adds a little heat. Basil: 3/4 tsp. of dried basil can be used if you don't have fresh. To Chiffonade Basil : Stack the basil leaves and roll them tightly (handle gently as they bruise easily). Use a sharp knife to slice the basil into thin ribbons. Pasta: Any kind of pasta works well in this dish, I like the way the pockets fill up with sauce with the orecchiette. Other great options include medium shells, rotini, and penne. Have more cherry tomatoes ?! Try my Cherry Tomato Pasta, Chicken Pomodoro, and Tomato Salad recipes next! Storage Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. These leftovers reheat pretty well. I use the ‘melt’ setting on my microwave or you can reheat over 50% power. A makeshift double boiler reheats creamy pastas really well too! Note: Fresh tomatoes start break down more after being reheated. (But I don't mind!) Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 6 servings in this recipe.