Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe: A Comforting Family Favorite

Creamy Italian sausage pasta brings comfort directly to your dinner table with its rich, satisfying flavors.

Robust sausage changes an ordinary meal into a remarkable culinary experience that feels both rustic and indulgent.

Home cooks adore this hearty dish for its incredible depth of taste and simple preparation method.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of textures and robust seasonings that elevate weeknight dining.

pasta becomes a canvas for bold, savory notes that promise warmth and excitement in every single bite.

Soft, velvety sauce coats each noodle with luxurious intensity, making this recipe a true crowd-pleaser for family gatherings.

Professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts agree that this meal represents the perfect balance between sophisticated flavor and comforting simplicity.

Tips for Rich and Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

• Boost Sausage Flavor: Brown the sausage thoroughly to develop deep, caramelized notes that enhance the overall dish's richness.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to create the perfect creamy texture without making the sauce too thin or thick.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Remove the skillet from heat when adding cheeses to prevent separation and ensure smooth, silky melting.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Chop fresh herbs right before adding to maximize their aromatic intensity and vibrant flavor profile.
• Pasta Doneness Secret: Cook pasta just shy of package instructions to achieve that perfect al dente texture, which will finish cooking in the sauce.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Freeze: Seal pasta in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm gently in microwave or stovetop. Add splash of chicken broth or milk to restore creamy sauce consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid overheating to prevent sauce separation.

Best Pairings for Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, spicy sausage and creamy sauce. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness while enhancing the dish's herbal notes.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Toss a light, tangy salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette. The fresh, bright flavors will balance the pasta's creamy and hearty characteristics.
• Match with Garlic Parmesan Bread: Prepare toasted garlic bread sprinkled with extra Parmesan cheese. Its crunchy texture and complementary flavors will perfectly accompany the creamy pasta's soft, indulgent profile.
• Add Refreshing Sparkling Water: Serve with a chilled sparkling water or lemon-infused mineral water to cleanse the palate between bites and provide a light, refreshing contrast to the rich pasta dish.

Flavor Variations for Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

• Spicy Sausage Kick: Swap regular Italian sausage for hot Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes for an extra spicy version that brings heat to every bite.
• Vegetarian Veggie Swap: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms, using vegetable broth to maintain rich flavor and adding zucchini for extra texture.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle fresh oregano to give the pasta a Greek-inspired transformation with tangy Mediterranean notes.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and substitute chicken sausage for traditional pork sausage, creating a healthier yet equally delicious pasta option.

Why Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Is a Weeknight Winner

• Quick and Creamy Comfort: This Italian sausage pasta delivers pure comfort food magic in under 30 minutes, blending rich sausage with a velvety sauce that hugs every pasta noodle perfectly.
• Flavor-Packed One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize dishes while maximizing taste by cooking everything in a single skillet, creating layers of depth from browned sausage, caramelized onions, and aromatic herbs that transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Customizable Family-Friendly Feast: Easily adaptable for picky eaters, this recipe welcomes substitutions like different pasta shapes, cheese varieties, or protein options while maintaining its delicious core- making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Cheesy Texture Paradise: Experience a luxurious blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan that creates irresistible stringy, gooey goodness, turning each bite into a delectable cheese-lover's dream that elevates the entire pasta experience.

Ingredients for Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

• Penne or Fusilli Pasta: Hearty pasta that holds sauce well, with ridges perfect for trapping creamy sauce.

• Ground Italian Sausage: Flavorful meat base with rich, seasoned profile, adds depth to the dish.
• Yellow Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor and aromatic base for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that complements the sausage and herbs.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that deepens sauce's richness and provides color.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and fresh tomato base to the pasta sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances sauce's moisture and provides subtle savory undertone.
• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Dried Parsley: Classic Italian herbs that bring authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Half and Half or Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth texture in the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Adds creamy, tangy, and stretchy cheese elements to complete the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle fruity undertone during cooking.

How to Make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Pot

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Slide in the pasta and cook following the package guidelines until it’s perfectly tender. Scoop out a small cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Brown The Sausage

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Crumble the Italian sausage into the pan. Cook the meat, breaking it into small pieces until it turns golden brown and loses its pink color. Transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.

Step 3: Saute Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Tomato paste

Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the kitchen fills with a mouthwatering aroma.

Step 4: Create Flavor Base

Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce for 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Build The Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything thoroughly and let the sauce bubble and thicken for 5-7 minutes.

Step 6: Add Creamy Richness

Stir in half and half or heavy cream. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water until you reach the perfect consistency.

Step 7: Combine Ingredients

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the prepared pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the luscious sauce.

Step 8: Finish With Cheese

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Stir until the cheese melts and creates a gooey, irresistible coating.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Plate the pasta immediately. Serve alongside crispy garlic bread and a fresh, crisp salad. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian sausage pasta brings comfort and flavor straight from Italian kitchens. Hearty sausage mingles with rich cream sauce, creating a satisfying meal that embraces traditional Mediterranean warmth while delivering pure culinary joy to your table.

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Ingredients

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Meats:

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fusilli pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Herbs and Dairy:

• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ teaspoon dried basil
• ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) half and half or heavy cream
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup (37 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Fill a generously salted pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until tender yet firm, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully extract and preserve a quarter cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining the pasta thoroughly.
2. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Introduce Italian sausage, methodically crumbling and sautéing until the meat loses its raw pink appearance. Transfer cooked sausage to a separate plate using a perforated utensil.
3. Utilize the same skillet to soften diced onions, allowing them to become translucent and aromatic. Incorporate minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring continuously to prevent burning and enhance flavor development.
4. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, using a wooden implement to lift and incorporate the caramelized remnants clinging to the skillet’s bottom. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate its essence.
5. Introduce undrained diced tomatoes along with a medley of dried herbs including oregano, basil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer until the sauce thickens and develops a rich, robust consistency.
6. Gently blend half and half or heavy cream into the sauce, creating a luxurious and velvety texture. Adjust the consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water as needed, ensuring a smooth and clingy sauce.
7. Reunite the previously cooked sausage with the sauce, then fold in the prepared pasta. Ensure each strand is generously coated with the creamy, herb-infused mixture.
8. Sprinkle and fold in Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, allowing them to melt and create a decadent, stretchy coating that embraces the pasta and sausage.
9. Present the dish immediately, accompanied by crusty garlic bread and a crisp, refreshing salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Personalize your pasta adventure with this creamy Italian sausage delight that transforms simple ingredients into a mouth-watering meal.
• Cheese lovers will go crazy for the gooey mozzarella and sharp Parmesan that melt perfectly into the rich, velvety sauce.
• Quick weeknight dinner solution that delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal cooking skills required.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 642
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 1020mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 82mg