This sausage pasta has spicy Italian sausage and bowtie pasta smothered in a yummy creamy sauce, making one of those easy dinner ideas ideal for busy weeknights. My family loves it!
Table of Contents
How To Make Sausage Pasta
- BROWN THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, and lightly brown the sausage on both sides, about 4-6 minutes. PIC. 1 Remove excess oil!
- COOK THE VEGGIES: Reduce the heat to medium and sweat the diced onions for about 3 minutes, occasionally stirring (don't let them brown). PIC. 2 Add the garlic and let cook for about 1 minute, stirring once and a while. PIC. 3
- ADD INGREDIENTS: Stir in the Italian seasoning for about 10 seconds and add the broth while stirring to scrape the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato sauce and the salt, then add the pasta. If you enjoy spicy foods or are adding a mild sausage, add a pinch of red pepper flakes! PICS. 4 & 5
- COOK THE PASTA WITH SAUSAGE: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 13-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Make sure to stir gently once in a while to prevent the pasta from sticking. If needed, add some extra broth or water (just enough for the pasta to cook). PIC. 6
- Turn off the heat and stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese if you want. Stir until creamy and homogeneous (and without chunks of cream cheese). Adjust the salt! PIC. 7
- GARNISH: Let the pasta sit for 2-3 minutes for the cream to heat through and the sauce to thicken. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and parsley on top and serve. PIC. 8
Ingredients and Substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make this creamy pasta dish:
For the ITALIAN Sausage Pasta:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb of your favorite hot or spicy Italian sausage, sliced. Or you can replace it with chorizo, bratwurst, linguiça (mildly spicy pork sausage from Portugal), or andouille. If you are not a fan of heat, use a mild sausage!
- 1 large yellow onion, small diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chunky tomato sauce (I used Ragú® Chunky Tomato Garlic & Onion Sauce, or marinara sauce)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more if desired
- 12 oz dry bowtie or farfalle pasta ( or pasta shells, orecchiette, mini penne, or mezzi rigatoni instead, or gluten-free pasta)
- ⅓ cup of heavy cream (TIP: For a creamier pasta, add also 4 oz of room temperature cream cheese, cut into chunks)
Toppings:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley (or fresh basil)
Types of Italian Sausage
Italian sausage is a pork sausage, fresh or uncured in most cases, seasoned with fennel as the main ingredient plus garlic, anise, coriander, pepper, and other spices.
There are 3 kinds: Hot, Mild, and Sweet
All 3 types are made with the same ingredients, except the hot kind has an extra ingredient, Calabrian chile pepper or hot red pepper flakes while the sweet type has sweet basil which differentiates them from the mild sausage.
The spicy Italian sausage is the best in my opinion because it is more flavorful or has a kick!
FAQs
In my experience, the best way to cook Italian sausage for pasta is to slice the sausage into rounds and heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Next, add olive oil and lightly brown the sausage on both sides until golden brown, about 4-6 minutes. Then remove excess oil, add the pasta sauce, cover with a lid, and simmer until the sausage is tender.
Chorizo (Mexican or Spanish sausage), bratwurst (German), and andouille (French and Cajun) make great subs for hot Italian sausage. They don't contain the same ingredients as a spicy Italian sausage and don't taste the same but they are still suitable spicy substitutes. Alternatively, you can replace hot Italian sausage with mild Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
Variations
You can vary some ingredients to make this pasta recipe different every time as follows:
- Pasta: Use use pasta shells, orecchiette, mini penne, or mezzi rigatoni instead of bowtie pasta. Even spaghetti or fettuccini would be a good choice because any of these pasta go well with light creamy sauces.
- Sausage: You can use just about any sausage you enjoy. For spicy sausages, linguiça, andouille sausage, chorizo, and bratwurst are great for this sausage pasta recipe. Or you can use any sweet or mild sausage of your choice. For lower-fat versions, use chicken or turkey Italian sausage.
- Heavy Cream: For a lighter pasta sauce, I prefer to use half and half instead of heavy cream and light creamy cheese to cut down a few calories but the sauce won't be as creamy and rich.
- Add-ons: You may add fresh spinach, kale, or Swiss chard to make this pasta recipe a complete dish. Or you may add some sun-dried tomatoes, peas, mushrooms, or chopped canned artichokes.
Tips for Making Creamy Sausage Pasta
This 30-minute sausage pasta recipe is quick, easy, and uses common ingredients. It's a perfect weeknight meal and tastes as if it came from a restaurant! Here are a few tips to make the best sausage pasta ever:
- Make sure to cook your pasta al dente. This means that the pasta is tender but is still firm enough to hold its shape.
- After stirring in the cream and cream cheese, allow the pasta to sit for about 2-3 minutes so the sauce can thicken.
- For a creamier sauce, add cream cheese to the recipe. Make sure the sauce it is at room temperature and the sauce is homogeneous before adding the pasta.
- For a cheesy sauce, add Parmesan to the sauce itself instead of only serving it on top of the pasta.
- For making a complete pasta dish, add veggies to the pasta.
- After browning the sausage, remove any excess oil so you don't wind up with a greasy cream sauce.
- Brown the sausage until is crisp and golden around the edges.
- Reheat the sausage pasta over low heat on the stovetop or microwave. But add some heavy cream while reheating to loosen the sauce and bring back some creaminess.
Other Italian Pasta Recipes
- Shrimp Carbonara
- Ziti al Forno
- Penne Pomodoro
- Pasta Bolognese
- Mediterranean Pasta
- Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Spicy Vodka Pasta
PIN AND ENJOY!
BEST Sausage Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
For the Italian sausage pasta:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or mild vegetable oil
- 1 lb hot or spicy Italian sausage sliced (or you can replace it with chorizo, bratwurst, linguiça, or andouille. If you are not a fan of heat, use a mild sausage. For a lower- fat dish, use turkey or chicken sausage)
- 1 large yellow onion small diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable stock
- 2 cups chunky tomato sauce I used Ragú® Chunky Tomato Garlic & Onion Sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt or more if desired
- 12 oz dry bowtie pasta or you can use pasta shells, orecchiette, mini penne, or mezzi rigatoni instead. For a wholesome pasta dish, use whole wheat pasta. For a low-carb dish, use keto pasta. Make sure to adjust the cooking time!
- ⅓ cup of heavy cream TIP: For a creamier pasta, add also 4 oz of room temperature cream cheese, cut into chunks. For a lighter sauce, use half and half and a light cream cheese.
Toppings:
- Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- BROWN THE SAUSAGE: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, and lightly brown the sausage on both sides, about 4-6 minutes. Remove excess oil!
- COOK THE VEGGIES: Reduce the heat to medium and sweat the diced onions for about 3 minutes, occasionally stirring (don't let them brown). Add the garlic and let cook for about 1 minute, stirring once and a while.
- ADD INGREDIENTS AND PASTA: Stir in the Italian seasoning for about 10 seconds and add the broth little by little while stirring to scrape the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato sauce and the salt, then add the pasta. If you enjoy spicy foods or are adding a mild sausage, add a pinch of red pepper flakes!
- COOK THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PASTA: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 13-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Make sure to stir gently once in a while to prevent the pasta from sticking. If needed, add some extra broth or water (just enough for the pasta to cook).
- Turn off the heat and stir in the heavy cream and cream cheese if you want. Stir until creamy and homogeneous (and there are no chunks of cream cheese). Adjust the salt!
- GARNISH: Let the pasta sit for about 2-3 minutes in order for the cream to heat through and the sauce to thicken. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and parsley on top and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- You can reheat the dish in the microwave or in a pan, with a few tablespoons of cream to loosen the sauce.
- Freezing is not recommended because it can break the sauce apart. But you can store the cooked pasta (cooked 1-2 minutes before becoming al dente and fully cool) in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month.
- Thaw it in the fridge overnight and then make the rest of the recipe right before serving.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
POST FIRST PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 2015.
Theresa says
This was so good! Did everything you suggested and added a little frozen red and green peppers. Turned out delicious!
2pots2cook says
One pot pasta? I'm in! Thank you! I wish you and your family happy and prosperous 2024. Denise !
Denise Browning says
Thank you and happy new year to you as well!
Janet says
Easy one pot recipie. Tastes great. I didn't have quite enough tomatoe sauce so i added 1/2 can fire roasted tomatoes and I didn't have cream so I used the equivalent of butter and milk for the 1/3 cup of cream. Came out great.
Sara Thrasher says
Made this for lunch using chicken and apple sausage and fresh herbs from our garden. Kids and I loved it.
Denise Browning says
Hi Sara! I am so happy you enjoyed our sausage pasta and also adapted it with the ingredients you had at home. So thrilled your kids also enjoyed it!
Hayley says
I normally never leave reviews for recipes, but this one is a knock out. Absolutely delicious. It was so easy to make too. Will be making again, thanks you!
Denise Browning says
Hi Hayley! Thank you so much for reviewing our recipe. I am so happy you enjoyed it!
Dalton says
I am a single Dad of 2, struggling to put meals on the table. This recipe was quick, easy and so delicious. It became one of my kids' favorite dinners. Thanks!
Isaac Conchos says
Wasn’t sure what to make with theses Portuguese sausages so i made this recipe and was absolutely amazing and used a tad bit of red wine vinegar awesome
Dori says
This looks SO GOOD! Just wondering if it would work well with 2% milk. There must be a reason that you specified whole milk.
Denise Browning says
Hi Dori! You are right! The reason why I specify whole milk is because this is one of those recipes that fat influences the creaminess of the dish. You can make with a 2% milk -- just be aware that the dish neither will taste the same nor the sauce will be creamy as when made with whole milk. Wishing you a delicious day!
Jess says
This recipe is very easy, & it tastes great! One thing I would suggest is using a bit less milk. It was runny for my taste. But overall, this is a hit!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Jess! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe. I am so glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks also for the suggestion.
It is good to know you had a different result. In mine, it was not runny at all. Actually it was pretty creamy and thick. I think the size of the burner and temperature of each stove top makes the difference. Wishing you a great evening!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Congrats on winning. You deserve it.
I love a one pot dish like this, especially during summers. I enjoy ragu too, always have some on hand. Looks perfect.
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot for voting for my recipe, Ash!
Me too. I love Ragu sauces as well because they're delicious and affordable.
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
O.M.G.... I love this, delicious ingredients and its a one pot wonder too. #best
Gonna make this for dinner tonight, all the yarm!
Hmmm.... when celebrating casual moments I dont really cook, more of a 'grab a beer and drink' kinda gal. LOL!
Raymund says
Nice one and its really saucesome 🙂
I think chorizos would be perfect for those as well
John/Kitchen Riffs says
We all need more one pot dishes in our lives! And who doesn't love pasta? Or sausage? This is my kind of meal -- loads of flavor, loads of easy. Thanks!
marcela says
This dish looks delicious! I'm so gonna try this recipe!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Oh, and you don't have to cook the pasta in water. This is wonderful.
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farinec says
What a great looking meal on the run. It looks like you spent a lot of time on it and look very yummy!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
Adore the recipe for a one-pot dinner! We are all so busy and yet want to share dinner with our families. A wonderful post!
Little Cooking Tips says
This recipe is so good dear Denise! First of all, the make-all-in-one-pot scheme is super convenient and tidy: ) Second, mixing milk and tomato sauce makes a very interesting taste that is perfect for pasta. Third, it's very easy with simple ingredients!
Loved your photos again. We wish you a wonderful summer with the girls:)
Love,
Panos and Mirella
xoxoxo
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
"Saucesome" is one heck of an awesome word! 🙂
Just when you think schools done and things will be relaxing they get super busy - so I am all about one pot meals like this one!
Amira says
What a great one pot dish this is... appealing to everyone.