Fettuccine pasta:

• 1 lb fettuccine pasta

Italian sausage (sweet, hot, or a mix):

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled

Olive oil or butter:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Garlic:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Optional aromatics like onion or leeks:

• 1 onion or 2 leeks, diced (optional)

Heavy cream (or half‑and‑half/light cream):

• 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half/light cream

Parmesan cheese, freshly grated:

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Optional white wine:

• ½ cup white wine (optional)

Salt and pepper:

• To taste

Optional tomato paste or tomato/alfredo sauce for a tomato‑cream variation:

• ½ cup tomato paste or tomato/alfredo sauce (optional)

Mozzarella (if baking):

• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded (if baking)

Pasta water for thinning:

• As needed