Pasta alla Norcina is a simple and creamy pasta dish from a town in Umbria known for its delicious pork products. This comforting meal features crumbled pork sausage and plenty of salty Pecorino Romano cheese. The best part? You can whip it up in less than 30 minutes!
There are two versions of Pasta alla Norcina. The one I’m sharing uses short tubular pasta cooked in a creamy sauce with sausage, onion, white wine, and Pecorino Romano. The other version uses long pasta like spaghetti or tagliatelle and often includes black truffles and fresh mushrooms.
Let’s be honest, this dish isn’t the healthiest, but it’s incredibly cozy and comforting. Perfect for when you want to indulge in a bowl of creamy pasta!
Tips for Amazing Pasta alla Norcina Sauce!
- Go Easy on the Nutmeg: Nutmeg has a strong flavor that can easily overpower the dish. Start with just a pinch and serve more on the side for those who like it. It’s better to add a little at a time.
- Reserve Your Pasta Water: Always save some pasta water before draining. This is crucial for cream-based dishes like this one. If the pasta starts to dry out, add a splash of reserved pasta water to restore its creamy texture.
- Use What’s Available: Since Norcia sausage and black truffles are hard to find, don’t worry about substitutions. If you can only get fennel sausage, remove the casing and use it. For cheese, Pecorino Romano can be replaced with Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can skip them—they add great texture and flavor but aren’t essential.
- Choose Tubular Pasta: For this rich, heavy sausage sauce, opt for tubular pasta like rigatoni, penne, or tortiglioni. I used mezzi paccheri in the photos, which worked beautifully. A hearty pasta helps hold up to the creamy sauce.
Storage and Leftovers
- Storing Leftovers: After enjoying your meal, let the leftovers cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. Properly stored, the pasta will last for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Place a portion of the Pasta alla Norcina in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it. Heat on medium power for 2 minutes, then stir. Continue heating in 30-60 second intervals, stirring in between, until the pasta is hot throughout.
Pasta Alla Norcina Recipe
Sausage, mushrooms, white wine, heavy cream, Pecorino Romano, and a dash of nutmeg are combined to make this creamy, cozy pasta meal.
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Calories: 766kcal
Servings: 6
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Colander
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Grater
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni or other tubular pasta
- 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces baby Bella mushrooms diced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups reserved pasta water will not need it all
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3/4 cup Pecorino Romano grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water (2 tablespoons kosher salt) to a boil.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat, add olive oil and sausage, and brown the sausage (5-7 minutes).
- Add mushrooms to the pan and cook until browned.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the pan. After 2 minutes, remove and discard the garlic. Cook until onions are soft.
- Increase heat to medium-high, add white wine, and cook until reduced by half, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Begin cooking pasta until just shy of al dente.
- Add heavy cream to the pan, bring to a simmer while stirring, then reduce heat to low.
- Add the almost al dente pasta to the sauce, mixing to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is perfectly al dente.
- Turn off the heat, remove the pan, and stir in grated Pecorino. Season with black pepper, a pinch of nutmeg, and salt to taste.
- Serve with extra grated Pecorino. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 766kcal | Carbohydrates: 59.8g | Fat: 49.2g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 703mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 4mg
What To Serve With Pasta Alla Norcina?
