Hearty Rich Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Bubbling with robust flavors, this hearty sausage pasta recipe delivers an authentic Italian culinary experience that captures rich, savory notes.

Spicy Italian sausage mingles beautifully with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Tender chunks of sausage nestle among al dente noodles, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Each forkful brings warmth and comfort, reminiscent of traditional home cooking.

Herbs and seasonings dance through the dish, enhancing every single bite with Mediterranean charm.

Fresh ingredients transform this simple recipe into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Prepare to savor every delectable morsel of this crowd-pleasing pasta that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Italian Sausage Pasta Richness

• Penne Pasta: Hearty tube-shaped pasta that catches creamy sauce perfectly, choose a high-quality brand for best texture.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances pasta's natural flavor during boiling, use for seasoning water.

• Italian Sausage: Robust meat with rich spices that adds deep, savory notes to the dish, select fresh ground sausage for maximum flavor intensity.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a zesty, warm undertone, opt for fresh cloves over pre-minced for more vibrant taste.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce base that coats pasta beautifully, select full-fat cream for richest texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, nutty depth and helps thicken sauce, choose freshly grated for best melting quality.
• Cream Cheese: Adds extra creaminess and subtle tanginess, use room temperature for smooth incorporation.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds freshness and color, select vibrant green leaves with no wilting.

Tools That Help Make Italian Sausage Pasta Quick

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space to cook noodles evenly.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta quickly and safely.
• Measuring cup: Helps reserve exact amount of pasta water for sauce.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice or chop ingredients like sausage and garlic.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Large skillet or sauté pan: Crucial for preparing sausage and creating creamy sauce.

How to Cook a Bowl of Italian Sausage Pasta

• Start the Water Boiling

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt to give your pasta extra flavor. Crank up the heat and watch the water come to a rolling boil.

• Cook the Pasta

Drop your pasta into the bubbling water. Let it dance around until it’s perfectly tender but still has a slight bite. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, scoop out a mugful of that starchy water – it’s liquid gold for your sauce later.

• Sizzle the Sausage

Heat up a large skillet and break apart the Italian sausage. Let it sizzle and brown, creating those delicious crispy bits that make your kitchen smell amazing. Keep stirring so it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick.

• Build the Creamy Sauce

Once the sausage is looking golden and delicious, splash in some cream. Sprinkle in some garlic and herbs to amp up the flavor. Let everything simmer and get friendly, letting the sauce thicken and become wonderfully rich.

• Combine and Serve

Toss your perfectly cooked pasta into the skillet with the sausage sauce. If it looks a bit dry, add some of that magical pasta water you saved. Give everything a good stir so every noodle gets coated in the creamy, meaty goodness.

• Final Touches

Sprinkle some fresh parmesan on top and maybe a bit of chopped parsley for some green freshness. Serve hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement.

Add-Ins That Complement Sausage Pasta Flavor

• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a slight bite, preventing mushy noodles that can ruin the dish's overall experience.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that still delivers rich, creamy goodness.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by choosing mild or hot Italian sausage, or mix both for a balanced flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage alternatives or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version that doesn't compromise on flavor and texture.

Presenting Sausage Pasta for Dinner Guests

• Hearty Family Dinner Centerpiece: Serve this rich pasta in large, deep bowls with extra grated parmesan sprinkled on top, creating a comforting main course that brings everyone together around the table.
• Rustic Italian Side Pairing: Complement the creamy sausage pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in light olive oil and balsamic vinegar, balancing the dish's richness with fresh, tangy flavors.
• Bread Lover's Delight: Accompany the meal with warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices, perfect for soaking up the delicious creamy sauce and adding a delightful textural contrast.
• Wine Enthusiast's Choice: Pair this robust pasta with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will harmonize beautifully with the savory sausage and creamy sauce.

Store Pasta So It Doesn’t Dry Out

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare extra portions of this pasta dish and refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Portion into individual servings for quick weeknight meals that reheat perfectly.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool the pasta completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Properly sealed meals will maintain quality for 2-3 months, providing a delicious emergency dinner solution.
• Refrigeration Tips: Store leftover sausage pasta in sealed containers, keeping the sauce and pasta separate to prevent soggy textures. Gently reheat in a skillet with a splash of pasta water to restore creaminess.
• Ingredient Freshness Hack: Keep uncooked pasta in a cool, dry pantry and Italian sausage in the refrigerator's coldest section. Check expiration dates and use vacuum-sealed packaging for extended ingredient longevity.

Rich Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty creamy Italian sausage pasta delivers rich comfort in one skillet. Parmesan cheese and herbs combine deliciously, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
• 300 g (10 oz) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt (for boiling water)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Generously salt a large pot of water and bring to a vigorous boil over high heat for pasta cooking.
2. Pasta Cooking: Immerse pasta and cook to package instructions, targeting an al dente consistency that offers slight resistance when bitten.
3. Liquid Preservation and Pasta Transfer: Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before straining, then immediately transfer pasta to a warm serving dish to maintain temperature and prevent sticking.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water Wisely: The starchy pasta water is liquid gold for creating a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to pasta, helping blend ingredients seamlessly.
• Control Boiling Precision: Salt the water generously and monitor cooking time closely to achieve al dente texture, preventing mushy or undercooked pasta.
• Temperature Management: Keep pasta warm after draining by using a pre-heated serving dish, which prevents rapid cooling and maintains optimal sauce absorption.
• Strategic Liquid Retention: The reserved 1/2 cup cooking liquid acts as a secret sauce enhancer, allowing you to adjust consistency and bind ingredients smoothly without separating.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg