When you need a dinner that’s rich, satisfying, and guaranteed to please the whole table, Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta delivers every time. This hearty pasta dish combines savory Italian sausage, a silky cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta into one cozy, flavor-packed meal. It’s the kind of recipe that feels comforting enough for a busy weeknight but impressive enough to serve when guests come over.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is all about balance with bold, seasoned sausage paired with a smooth, indulgent sauce that clings to every bite. Simple ingredients come together quickly, making this a go-to recipe when you want maximum flavor without complicated steps.
Looking for more hearty pasta dishes, the try my Marry Me Chicken Soup, Grilled Short Ribs Ragu, or try Lasagna Soup.
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Why Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is Alway a Winner!
This dish earns its place in the regular dinner rotation for a few key reasons:
- Big, savory flavor from Italian sausage
- Rich, creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly
- Quick and easy to make in under an hour
- Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing
- Easy to customize with vegetables or spice
It’s comfort food that feels familiar while still delivering restaurant-quality flavor.
Ingredients needed to make a Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
- Italian sausage: the heart of this dish, bringing bold seasoning and savory depth.
- Pappardelle pasta: long noodles like fettuccine or pappardelle create a silky, restaurant-style presentation.
- Tomato paste: brings a rich, savory backbone that balances the cream and enhances the bold flavors of the sausage
- Garlic: adds an aromatic savoriness to the sauce.
- White wine: adds brightness and balance to the dish, cutting through the richness of the cream and sausage with gentle acidity.
- Chicken broth: liquid base to the sauce without overpowering the other ingredients
- Heavy cream: creates the rich, velvety texture that defines this dish.
- Italian seasoning: bring warm, aromatic flavor to the dish with dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: for a little hint of heat to break through the creaminess.
- Parmesan cheese: adds nutty, salty flavor while helping the sauce thicken and cling to the pasta
Cook the Pasta
Choosing the right pasta makes a difference. Shapes that hold sauce well work best, including:
Pappardelle is the pasta I used in my recipe and the one I recommend most. The long thick pasta noodles perfectly trap the creamy sauce and bits of sausage delivering flavor in every bite.
Recipe Tip
Fettuccine or Tagliatelle pasta are great alternatives if your store does not carry Pappardelle pasta.
Fill a large pot with water, salt and bring it to a boil. Drop in the pasta and cook until it get al dente. Overcooking the pasta will result in it breaking apart during the meal.
Do not break the pasta when dropping it in the water. The pasta will loosen up and release by itself from the other strands.
Drain the pasta but keep about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. You will need it later.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
Cook the Italian Sausage
Choosing the right flavor of Italian sausage will depend on your heat tolerance. I always go with Mild Italian Sausage since my kids don’t like spicy foods as much as I do. If you like heat, use a pound of Hot Italian Sausage. It really boosts the flavor of the Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta and breaks through the creaminess.
I do recommend staying away from the sweet Italian sausage.
The foundation of great creamy pasta starts in the pan.
Pre-heat a dutch oven or deeper heat safe dish. Add some olive oil and drop in the Italian sausage. If you are using sausage links, make sure to remove the casing. Browning the sausage until it develops a deep golden color creates rich, savory flavor. As the sausage cooks, it releases fat that becomes the base for the sauce—don’t rush this step.
Make the Creamy Pasta Sauce
This east Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta comes together in minutes but the flavor tastes like it’s been cooking all day. The secret? Simple yet aromatic ingredients.
Start by adding some tomato paste and minced garlic to the dutch oven with the cooked sausage. Mix it all together and cook for another minute.
Next, add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, white wine, chicken broth and simmer everything for 5 minutes.
Recipe Tip
Don’t like using alcohol as an ingredient in food? Just skip the white wine in this recipe. No substitute needed.
Use low sodium broth. You can always add salt when doing a taste test at the end.
Finally, add in the heavy cream and lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Turn off the heat and mix the ingredients together.
Drop in the al dente pasta and add a little bit of pasta water at a time. This will thicken the sauce. Mix everything together.
Taste test and season as needed.
Easy Add-Ins and Variations
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it based on what you have on hand:
- Spinach or kale for a pop of color and freshness
- Mushrooms for earthy depth
- Sun-dried tomatoes for sweetness and tang
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a bright finish
Each addition brings something new while keeping the dish comforting and familiar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta in a deep plate. Make sure to get the ground Italian sausage on the plate. Top with some freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!
Add some cracked black pepper to break through the richness of the sauce and don’t forget about the garlic bread.
Leftovers?
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of cream or milk
- Avoid high heat when reheating to keep the sauce smooth
Why this Easy Pasta Dish should be in your weekly rotation
This recipe is everything comfort food should be, warm, filling, flavorful, and easy to love. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry family, entertaining friends, or simply treating yourself to a cozy bowl of pasta at the end of a long day.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta proves that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to create a meal that feels special.
Final Thoughts
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If you’re looking for a reliable, crave-worthy dinner, Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta checks all the boxes. Rich, savory, and endlessly adaptable, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. One bite is all it takes to understand why this dish remains a timeless favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I change the protein? Yes, this creamy Italian Sausage pasta recipe can be made with ground beef, chicken, or even ground turkey.
What is the secret to a flavorful pasta sauce? Simple yet aromatic ingredients make the best pasta sauce. Always use pasta water. The cooked salted water add flavor and thickness to the sauce. Tomato paste, salt and garlic are key ingredients to amplify an Italian dish.
If you tried this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!
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Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta combines savory Italian sausage, silky cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta into one flavor-packed meal.
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword comfort food, creamy, quick, savory, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, italian sausage pasta.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 959kcal
- 1 lbs Mild Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup White wine (dry)
- 1 cup Chicken broth (reduced sodium)
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 8 oz Pappardelle or Fettuccini pasta
Fill a large pot with water, salt and bring it to a boil. Drop in the pasta and cook until it get al dente. Drain the pasta leaving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later.
Preheat a dutch oven with olive oil and drop in the Italian sausage with casing removed. Cook until browned.
Add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, white wine, chicken broth and simmer everything for 5 minutes.
Add in the heavy cream and lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Turn off the heat and mix the ingredients together.
Drop in the al dente pasta and add a little bit of pasta water at a time to thicken the sauce.
Do a taste test and season as needed.
Serve Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta in a deep plate. Make sure to get the ground Italian sausage on the plate. Top with some freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!
Mild Italian Sausage is best for this recipe, but Hot Italian Sausage will work for those who like heat.
Don’t like using alcohol as an ingredient in food? Just skip the white wine in this recipe. No substitute needed.
Use Low or Reduced Sodium chicken broth to avoid over salted pasta sauce. Add salt at the end if needed. Calories: 959kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 65g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 175mg | Sodium: 3121mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1383IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 327mg | Iron: 3mg
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