Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a one pan pasta recipe that always satisfies! Penne pasta is tossed with roasted red peppers, spinach and more in a rich and creamy sauce with plenty of parmesan. You’re gonna love this 30 minute meal!
Satisfy your creamy pasta craving with recipes like Creamy Cavatappi Pasta, Creamy Gemelli Pasta and Creamy Tomato Rigatoni Pasta.
Table of Contents
- Why we love this Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe:
- Italian Sausage Pasta Ingredients:
- How to make Italian Sausage Pasta
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to store Italian Sausage Pasta
- The Best Way to Reheat Leftover Pasta
- Can I freeze Italian Sausage Pasta?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Hearty Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
- Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
This Italian Sausage Pasta recipe is a one pan dinner that we’re honestly pretty obsessed with. It’s creamy, cheesy, hearty and loaded with flavor!
I also love the veggies that are tucked away into this creamy pasta skillet. Eating spinach has never been so satisfying! There’s also a good amount of roasted red peppers which add a ton of flavor.
The very best part? Everything comes together in a single skillet in just 30 minutes. It’s ideal for those crazy busy weeknights when you need something homemade, filling and easy!
Why we love this Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe:
- One Pan: One pan meals are my absolute favorite. They make clean up a real breeze (who doesn’t love that?).
- 30 Minute Meal: Yes! Everything comes together in just half an hour with super easy to follow steps.
- Veggies: Spinach and roasted red peppers give this dish some pops of vibrant color and fresh flavor.
- Filling: Italian sausage and pasta really hit the spot when you’re hungry!
Italian Sausage Pasta Ingredients:
- Italian Sausage: Feel free to lighten up this recipe with either Italian turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork if preferred.
- Cream: Heavy cream makes for a rich and flavorful sauce. You can choose a lighter cream and it will work just fine, but the sauce may not be as thick. You can also lighten it up by using evaporated milk.
- Roasted Red Peppers: I buy jarred, roasted red peppers at the grocery store and love the flavor they add! You can always roast your own peppers, or simply chop and add with the onion at the beginning of the recipe. Roasted red peppers have a mild, sweet flavor and even my pepper-resistant children love them!
- Spinach: You can add a lot of spinach to this recipe without even noticing it because it wilts so quickly! Feel free to swap for frozen (thawed and squeeze out) spinach or fresh chopped kale.
- Pasta: Penne pasta is my favorite to use here, but you can really swap it with any other short pasta.
- Chicken Broth: I recommend using low sodium chicken broth. That way, you can sprinkle in more salt if you want to later to achieve your preferred level of saltiness.
- Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan is preferred for the very best flavor and consistency.
- Garlic: Measure with your heart, garlic lovers!
- Onion: Feel free to use either a yellow or white onion.
- Seasonings: Everything comes together with just a little salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
How to make Italian Sausage Pasta
Take a quick look at how easy this recipe is! For more information on the entire process, just scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and onion.
- Cook, crumbling, until sausage is browned.
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes.
- Add the broth, cream and roasted red peppers and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until al dente.
- Stir in spinach and parmesan.
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the spinach: You can substitute it with another leafy green like kale or arugula if preferred.
- Add some spice: Crushed red pepper flakes are the best ingredient to add if you’d like a little spice!
- Change the pork: Most major grocery stores offer a pork Italian sausage alternative, like chicken or turkey. Use whatever you like best.
- Garnishes: Add fresh basil, crushed red pepper flakes or parmesan to the top of each serving.
How to store Italian Sausage Pasta
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Add a splash of water or broth and reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
The Best Way to Reheat Leftover Pasta
Leftover pasta will absorb the excess sauce as it sits, drying it out.
I like to add a splash of water or broth and reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
This way it will be saucy and delicious!
Can I freeze Italian Sausage Pasta?
Yes! Make sure to first let it fully cool to room temperature. Then, transfer everything to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it defrost in the fridge for a few hours prior to reheating.
This storage method isn’t great for those who are picky about al dente pasta, as the pasta does soften after being frozen.
Serving suggestions:
This can be a well rounded meal all by itself since it has veggies and protein all in one tasty pasta dish! However, you can absolutely pair it with one of my favorite sides like Cheesy Baked Asparagus or Roasted Carrots.
Of course, you can never go wrong with Garlic Bread or a Homemade Dinner Roll!
More Hearty Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
- Best Hamburger Helper Recipe — the kids’ favorite meal!
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake — perfect for making ahead.
- Gnocchi with Sausage, Spinach and Tomatoes — a fun way to switch up pasta night!
- Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage — if you love that pasta and Italian sausage combo.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- ¾ lb Italian sausage (380 grams)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ lb uncooked short pasta (340 grams or about 4 heaped cups)
- ¾ cup roasted red peppers* (jarred and store bought) drained and chopped
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the sausage and onion.
- Cook, crumbling, until sausage is browned.
- Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook 2 minutes.
- Add the broth, cream and roasted red peppers and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until al dente.
- Stir in spinach and Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
Notes
- Italian sausage: you can lighten this recipe up by choosing Italian turkey or chicken sausage instead. You can also swap for ground pork or turkey but you will want to increase the seasonings to compensate.
- Cream: a little cream makes for a rich and flavorful sauce. You can choose a lighter cream and it will work just fine, but the sauce may not be as thick. You can also lighten it up by using evaporated milk.
- Roasted red peppers: I buy jarred, roasted red peppers at the grocery store and love the flavor they add! You can always roast your own peppers, or simply chop and add with the onion at the beginning of the recipe. Roasted red peppers have a mild, sweet flavor and even my pepper-resistant children love them!
- Spinach: you can add a lot of spinach to this recipe without even noticing it because it wilts so quickly! Feel free to swap for frozen (thawed and squeeze out) spinach or fresh chopped kale.
Nutrition Information
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Melenna Tabakian says
We love this dish! The only thing I do differently is I Deglaze the pan with white wine after sausage and onion and don’t add the broth. I have 7 kids and 6/7 love this dish!
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea! Thanks for sharing!
Kathleen says
Haven’t tried it yet but it sounds awesome so I’m excited! Just wondering…since you add uncooked pasta, can it be done in a slow cooker?
Ashley Fehr says
It’s possible, but I haven’t tried it so I can’t say how much or how long to cook.
Bernie says
Hi Ashley..made this for dinner last night, and my family loved it. I couldn’t get the spinach, as I I used my garden green beans cut in small pieces and it mixed well. This is a keeper for us. Thanks for the great recipes…love your style.
Bernie
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you so much Bernie! I’m glad!
Valerie says
Instead of ground sausage, would it work just slicing the sausages thinly and adding them upfront with the onion?
Lesley says
You could just cut the casing off the sausages, then you would have ground sausage.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, you can remove the casings or just slice them up 🙂