The Weeknight Hero We All Need
Hey friends! Let me tell you about the dinner that saves me when I am too tired to think but still want something that tastes amazing. This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is rich, comforting, and comes together in one pot in under 30 minutes. While I love fresh, vibrant dishes like my grilled lemon herb chicken with quinoa, sometimes you just need a bowl of creamy, cheesy pasta to make everything feel right again.
This is one of those lazy dinners that doesn’t feel lazy at all. The Italian sausage brings all the flavor, the cream makes it silky, and the Parmesan ties it all together in a way that feels restaurant-worthy but costs a fraction of the price.
Why This Pasta Works Every Time
The magic here is cooking the pasta right in the sauce. As the noodles cook, they release starch that naturally thickens the cream into a luscious, clingy sauce. No draining, no extra pots, just pure comfort in a single skillet. If you love bold, spiced proteins like the ones in my halal grilled chicken shawarma bowls, you will appreciate how the Italian sausage carries the entire dish with its fennel and garlic notes.
This is also incredibly flexible. You can use sweet or spicy Italian sausage, or even swap in chicken sausage recipes for a leaner version without sacrificing flavor.
Simple Ingredients for Big Flavor
- Italian Sausage: Ground or link sausage works. I prefer sweet, but spicy adds a nice kick.
- Short Pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or shells work best because they catch the sauce.
- Onion & Garlic: The aromatic base that makes everything smell incredible.
- Chicken Broth: This is your cooking liquid for the pasta.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce rich and velvety.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated melts best and adds salty, nutty depth.
- Spinach: A handful wilts right in for color and nutrition.
- Roasted Red Peppers (Optional): These add a sweet, smoky note that balances the richness.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a one-pot wonder ready in 30 minutes. Savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce come together for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casings removed
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
12 oz short pasta (penne or rigatoni)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced (optional)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
2. Add diced onion to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the sausage.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to submerge it in the liquid. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
6. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
7. Stir in the spinach and roasted red peppers (if using). Let the spinach wilt for 2 minutes.
8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting texture.
Stir the pasta often while it cooks to prevent sticking.
For a lighter version, use chicken sausage and half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
One-Pot Magic: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 2: If there is a lot of grease, drain most of it, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan for flavor. Add diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together so the sausage gets coated in the spices.
Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Add the uncooked pasta directly to the skillet. Stir to make sure it is mostly submerged. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 6: Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. If it looks too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
Step 7: Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for about 2 minutes. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce.
Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like heat.
Make It Your Own
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes add texture and freshness, similar to the veggie medley in my baked feta cod.
- Spice Swap: If you want a different flavor profile, use the same technique but swap Italian sausage for spiced ground beef or lamb, channeling the bold seasonings from my Turkish meatballs.
- Lighter Version: Use chicken sausage and half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a healthier twist.
- Wrap It Up: Leftovers? Stuff them into a tortilla for a fusion wrap inspired by my Mediterranean hummus wraps.
Your New Go-To Comfort Meal
This italian sausage pasta is everything I want in a weeknight dinner: easy, satisfying, and packed with flavor. It is proof that pasta dinner recipes don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. Give it a try this week!
