Hearty Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe for Family Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy Italian sausage pasta delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Hearty Italian sausage sizzles with rich, velvety sauce that hugs every pasta curve.

Robust flavors dance through each bite, promising a meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

The combination of spicy sausage and smooth cream creates a symphony of taste that will make mouths water.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, turning an ordinary evening into a delightful dining experience.

Fresh herbs add a final touch of brightness that cuts through the decadent sauce.

Dive into this irresistible pasta and savor every single forkful of deliciousness.

Serving Creamy Pasta Without Going Overboard

• Rustic Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and serve this hearty pasta in large, warmed bowls with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top for a cozy, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Elegant Dinner Party Presentation: Plate the creamy sausage pasta on white ceramic dishes, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light drizzle of high-quality olive oil to elevate the dish for sophisticated guests.
• Weekend Lunch Companion: Pair this pasta with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, and add a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors of the main course.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days, reheating gently with a splash of chicken broth to restore the creamy texture and prevent the pasta from drying out.

Store Sausage Pasta to Keep It Delicious

• Smart Portioning: Divide leftovers into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches during busy workweek days. Perfect for meal preppers seeking convenient and delicious options.
• Refrigeration Rules: Store remaining pasta in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of chicken broth or water when microwaving. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly, preventing dry or rubbery textures. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 615 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients That Bring Creamy Pasta to Life

• Penne or Fusilli: Hearty pasta shapes that hold sauce beautifully, perfect for capturing creamy goodness.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and prevents pasta from sticking during cooking.

• Ground Italian Sausage: Delivers robust, spicy flavor and meaty texture to the dish.
• Yellow Onion: Provides sweet, caramelized undertones that build depth in the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds intense, aromatic punch that elevates the entire flavor profile.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a silky liquid base that enhances overall sauciness.
• Diced Tomatoes: Brings bright, fresh tomato chunks and natural acidity.
• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Dried Parsley: Classic Italian herb blend that infuses authentic Mediterranean character.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance all flavors.
• Half and Half or Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture in the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty complexity and helps thicken the sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, stretchy goodness and creamy finish.

Tools You’ll Need for Sausage Pasta Prep

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking sausage, sautéing vegetables, and creating the creamy sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and scraping pan bottom while deglazing.
• Pasta Pot: Needed to boil pasta with well-salted water.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked pasta.
• Cutting Board: Helps chop onions and mince garlic safely.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of herbs and seasonings.
• Cheese Grater: Necessary for grating Parmesan and shredding mozzarella.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove cooked sausage from skillet without excess grease.

Instructions for Cooking Sausage Pasta Smoothly

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water with salt and cook pasta until perfectly tender. Keep some pasta water for later magic.

• Sausage Sizzle

Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook sausage until it crumbles into delicious golden pieces. Remove meat and set aside.

• Flavor Foundation

Sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add garlic and tomato paste, letting the aromatics dance and release their wonderful scents.

• Liquid Liberation

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors.

• Tomato Transformation

Introduce diced tomatoes and herbs. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, creating a rich and robust base.

• Creamy Comfort

Stir in cream, creating a luxurious sauce that hugs every ingredient. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water.

• Sausage Reunion

Return cooked sausage to the skillet and combine with pasta. Ensure every piece is generously coated with the dreamy sauce.

• Cheese Crescendo

Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella, melting them into a gooey, irresistible finish.

• Serving Celebration

Plate with fresh garlic bread and a crisp salad. Savor the delightful blend of flavors and textures.

Creative Variations for Sausage Pasta Fans

• Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a spicy kick that wakes up your taste buds and adds exciting heat to the creamy sauce.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before final cooking.
• Veggie Power-Up: Toss in extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers during the sauce stage to increase nutrition and add vibrant colors to the dish.
• Protein Swap: Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Cheese Adventure: Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, romano, or provolone to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal taste preferences.

Velvety Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Italian Sausage Creamy Pasta delivers rich comfort with hearty flavors from traditional regional ingredients. Simmered sausage, robust herbs, and silky cream sauce combine perfectly for you to savor each delicious forkful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground Italian sausage
• 12 oz (340 g) penne or fusilli pasta
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup (37 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) half and half or heavy cream
• 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• ¾ tsp dried oregano
• ¾ tsp dried basil
• ¾ tsp dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil water with abundant salt, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve quarter cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
2. Sausage Browning: Sauté Italian sausage in olive oil over medium heat, methodically crumbling until fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate using a slotted spoon.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, caramelize onions until translucent. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring to prevent scorching and develop deep flavor profiles.
4. Liquid Integration: Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping caramelized bits from skillet bottom. Reduce liquid to concentrate essential flavors.
5. Sauce Development: Incorporate diced tomatoes and dried herbs (oregano, basil, parsley). Season with salt and pepper, then simmer until sauce thickens and intensifies.
6. Cream Infusion: Blend half and half or heavy cream into sauce, creating a silky consistency. Adjust using reserved pasta water for optimal texture.
7. Final Assembly: Reunite sausage with sauce, fold in prepared pasta. Ensure comprehensive coating with creamy, herb-enhanced mixture.
8. Cheese Melting: Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, allowing them to melt and create a decadent, stretchy coating that embraces entire dish.
9. Serving Suggestion: Plate immediately alongside crusty garlic bread and crisp salad for a complete, satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy cooking liquid to help sauce cling perfectly to pasta and adjust consistency smoothly.
• Sausage Searing Technique: Completely break down meat while cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent large clumps.
• Herb Enhancement Trick: Toast dried herbs briefly in hot pan before adding liquids to intensify their aromatic compounds and deepen overall flavor profile.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Add cheese off direct heat and fold gently to prevent breaking or becoming grainy, creating creamy, silky texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 615
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg