Creamy Zucchini & Italian Sausage

This is a perfect weeknight meal that would be delicious with a nice salad (and maybe even some additional grilled meat if you’re serving a hungry crowd)!

Slicing zucchini or yellow squash into penne pasta shapes is one of my favorite keto cooking hacks! Visually, it looks a lot like pasta and—if you close your eyes—the texture isn’t too far off from the real thing either!

This pasta-shaped veggie preparation is perfect for quick sauces like the one in this recipe (it’s also great with classics like alfredo or pesto)!

Do yourself a favor and make this your new go-to weeknight Italian dish!

Creamy Zucchini & Italian Sausage

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: serves 4-5 1x

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Description

Quick, Italian-inspired keto dinner with zucchini, hot sausage and a creamy tomato sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 medium zucchini
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 5 hot Italian sausage links, casing removed (19 ounces)
• ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tablespoon dried basil
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Cut the ends off each zucchini then slice into quarters, lengthwise. Carefully slice away the soft core of each quarter (save for blended soups) then cut on a bias to form penne pasta shapes. Reserve.
2. Add oil to a preheated pot and brown sausage (after removing the outer casing/skin) over medium-high heat for 5 minutes—breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add onion, garlic, dried basil, salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes (or until veggies are softened).
4. Mix in marinara sauce and heavy cream then reduce for 5 minutes—stirring occasionally.
5. Mix in zucchini, cover and cook—stirring every few minutes—for 5 minutes. Remove lid and cook for 5 more minutes—stirring every few minutes (zucchini should be just tender).
6. Remove from heat and fold in Parmesan for 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce thickens slightly.
7. Serve with more Parmesan cheese (and chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy). Enjoy (see notes)!

Notes

Net carbs: 5.1g

I’d serve this recipe with an additional side or a salad to stretch it a little further (maybe even some additional protein like grilled chicken or baked fish).

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sauteing
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: keto Italian dinner, low-carb recipes, zucchini and Italian sausage