Soul-Warming Hearty Sausage Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand a quick, satisfying sausage pasta recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

This hearty sausage pasta bursts with robust Italian-inspired ingredients that turn an ordinary meal into something spectacular.

Savory sausage blends perfectly with al dente pasta, creating a comforting dish that promises pure satisfaction.

Rich tomato sauce coats each noodle, while herbs and spices dance across your palate with every bite.

Fresh Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds a delightful sharp note that elevates the entire meal.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, this recipe ensures everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.

Let’s dive into a pasta experience that transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable dinner delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Sausage Pasta: Ingredient Essentials

• Sausage: Select spicy or mild Italian sausage for robust flavor and hearty texture, ensuring meat is fresh and high-quality.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and enriches overall sauce complexity, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce texture, select fresh, high-fat content cream for richest results.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty undertones and helps thicken sauce, opt for freshly grated for superior melting.

• Olive Oil: Initiates cooking process and adds subtle fruity undertone, use extra virgin for best quality.
• Onion: Builds foundational flavor profile, select firm, aromatic bulbs without soft spots.
• Garlic: Introduces aromatic intensity, choose plump, firm cloves with smooth skin.
• Chili Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and complexity, adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Salt: Balances and highlights other ingredients, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and depth, freshly ground offers most vibrant flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbal notes, enhances overall Mediterranean-style taste.
• Parsley: Offers fresh, bright garnish with subtle peppery notes, choose crisp, vibrant leaves.
• Pasta: Serves as hearty base, select medium-sized shape like penne or rigatoni for sauce retention.

Tools That Help You Whip It Up Fast

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking sausage, onions, and creating the creamy sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for precise amounts of pasta water, broth, and cream.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Cutting board: For chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
• Sharp knife: To chop ingredients precisely.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

Serve This Rich Pasta to Please

• Pasta Plate Paradise: Pile the creamy sausage pasta onto wide, shallow plates that showcase the rich sauce and hearty chunks of sausage.
• Herb Heaven Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil leaves on top for a burst of color and a vibrant, fresh flavor that cuts through the creamy richness.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Add an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese just before serving to enhance the cheesy goodness and add a salty kick.
• Bread Buddy Companion: Serve with crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices on the side to soak up the delicious creamy sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.

Meal Prep & Reheat Advice

• Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Keep fresh for 3-4 days.
• Revive cold pasta by adding a splash of chicken broth or milk when warming in the microwave. Stir gently to restore creamy texture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating slowly on the stovetop.
• Prepare sauce and sausage mixture separately from pasta to maintain optimal texture. Store components individually, combining just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and prevent soggy noodles.

How to Make Creamy Sausage Pasta at Home

• Boil Pasta

Cook pasta until it’s perfectly tender. Save some pasta water before draining.

• Sizzle Sausage

Brown sausage in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces while cooking.

• Soften Aromatics

Toss chopped onions into the pan, letting them become translucent. Add garlic and chili flakes for a flavor kick.

• Create Liquid Base

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and develop deep flavors.

• Build Creamy Sauce

Reduce heat and blend in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety.

• Combine and Coat

Slide the cooked pasta into the skillet, tossing it gently to ensure every strand gets covered in the luxurious sauce. If needed, splash in reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.

• Final Seasoning

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning throughout the dish. Give everything a final warm-up to marry the flavors.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate the pasta immediately, adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra cheese for a gorgeous finish.

Seasoning Ideas and Mix-Ins

• Save some starchy pasta water to help thicken and smooth out your sauce, creating a perfect creamy texture that clings beautifully to each pasta strand.
• Easily substitute spicy Italian sausage with mild sausage or ground turkey for a lighter version that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Prepare the sauce ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore creamy consistency.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or rice pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly without sacrificing taste.
• Swap pasta for spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to create a keto-friendly version that's equally delicious and satisfying.

Hearty Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Craving a comfort classic? Creamy sausage pasta delivers Italian-inspired richness with hearty sausage and silky sauce. Delightful dinner perfection awaits you at the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work great)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional garnish: chopped parsley or extra Parmesan

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining an al dente texture. Carefully set aside a portion of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment, then drain completely.
2. Sausage Searing: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame. Introduce sausage, methodically breaking it down while ensuring thorough caramelization and complete cooking.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Incorporate finely chopped onions, allowing them to soften and release their sweet undertones. Infuse garlic and chili flakes, creating a fragrant base that awakens the dish’s complexity.
4. Liquid Integration: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any concentrated flavor bits from the skillet’s surface. Allow the liquid to simmer and reduce, concentrating the savory essence.
5. Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat and gently fold in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, creating a luxuriously smooth sauce that coats each ingredient with velvety richness.
6. Pasta Fusion: Introduce cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every strand becomes lavishly enrobed in the creamy sauce. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Final Seasoning: Elevate flavors with strategic additions of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Gently warm the entire mixture, allowing ingredients to harmonize and meld together.
8. Presentation: Transfer to serving dishes, garnishing with fresh parsley or an extra sprinkle of cheese for a final touch of elegance.

Notes

• Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and ensure a satisfying bite in the final dish.
• Break down sausage into small crumbles while cooking to distribute flavor evenly and create a more consistent sauce base.
• Add heavy cream and Parmesan gradually, stirring constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, silky sauce.
• Use reserved pasta water strategically to control sauce consistency, adding small amounts to thin or loosen the sauce as needed.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 80mg