This Italian Pork Sausage Pasta Recipe is a one-pan comfort food made with creamy sauce, juicy sausage, and rigatoni pasta, topped with parmesan cheese. It’s an easy recipe that makes the perfect weeknight meal.
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This recipe is sponsored by NY Beef Council. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
Why this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe is a Keeper
This spicy Italian sausage pasta recipe combines flavorful Italian sausage with tender pasta and a creamy tomato pasta sauce. It’s an easy pasta dish and a great recipe for dinner. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: All of the ingredients for Italian spicy sausage pasta can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Favorite: This Italian sausage pasta recipe makes an easy family meal for lunch or dinner.
- Adaptable Dinner Recipe: This Italian pasta and sausage recipe can easily be modified to your tastes and dietary needs. Use spicy or mild Italian sausage, or even try Italian chicken sausage instead. Cook your pasta al dente, or to your preferred level.
What Type of Sausage is Best for this Dish?
You can use pork sausage, turkey sausage, or ground beef sausage to make this recipe. For more beef recipes and nutrition information, check out the NY Beef Council.
Ingredient Notes for Creamy Sausage Pasta
- Sausage: Make this pasta dinner recipe with pork or beef Italian sausage.
- Pasta: Rigatoni or penne are recommended, but you can use any kind of pasta, like spaghetti.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for One Pot Spicy Italian Sausage with Penne
- Cook the Sausage: Brown the sausage and store it in the refrigerator.
Pro Tip to Make this Recipe
For an extra layer of depth and flavor, roast a medley of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and garlic before adding them to your sauce. Roasting caramelizes the natural sugars, creating a rich, sweet flavor that complements the savory sausage perfectly.
How to Make Spicy Sausage Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
These are the basic steps for making Italian sausage pasta. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cook Italian Sausage
In a large pot or skillet with deep sides, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Then, add the sausage meat and diced onion. Cook until sausage is browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Afterwards, drain any excess fat from the pan.
2. Make the Pasta Sauce
Add garlic to the large skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Then, add chicken broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning blend, all purpose seasoning, and rigatoni to make the sauce recipe.
3. Cook the Pasta Al Dente
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes, or cook according to package directions until pasta is al dente. Remove the pasta from the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
- Using Leftovers: The creamy pasta dish will stay good for up to 3-5 days.
Variations and Substitutions for Easy Pasta with Hot Italian Sausage
- Sweet Italian Sausage: Use a sweet sausage instead of a spicy sausage.
- Sauce: If you want, make a different kind of sauce, or use a storebought tomato sauce.
- Protein or Vegetables: Use a different protein, like chicken, or add your favorite vegetables, like diced tomatoes. Top with fresh basil if desired.
- Pasta: Use your favorite pasta for this authentic Italian Sausage Pasta dish.
Ground Pork Recipe FAQs
Serve this recipe with baked sausage and peppers, Italian sausage soup, or air fryer corn on the cob.
Yes; you can top this pasta dish with crumbled ground sausage instead.
You can use any type of pasta, but rigatoni or penne pasta work best. Up the protein with a protein pasta or use a gluten free pasta for this easy pasta recipe.
Expert Tips to Love this Recipe for Italian Sausage and Pasta
- Crushed Red Pepper: Add red pepper flakes or hot peppers to make the pasta spicier.
- More Cheese: Melt some mozzarella on top of the pasta before serving, or add some dollops of ricotta.
- Vegetables: Add some mushrooms, spinach, kale, or other vegetables to build your flavors.
Italian Sausage Pasta
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Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 ½ pounds Italian Sausage, sliced
- 1 Medium Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Chicken Stock
- 15 ounces Tomato Sauce
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning Blend
- 2 teaspoons House Seasoning Blend
- 8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Instructions
- In a large skillet with deep sides, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add the sausage slices and diced onion.
- Cook until sausage is browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
- Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken stock, tomato sauce, heavy cream, Italian Seasoning Blend, House Seasoning Blend and rigatoni.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pasta from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
Christina’s Notes
- Crushed Red Pepper: Add red pepper flakes or hot peppers to make the pasta spicier.
- More Cheese: Melt some mozzarella on top of the pasta before serving, or add some dollops of ricotta.
- Vegetables: Add some mushrooms, spinach, kale, or other vegetables to build your flavors.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I’ve been waiting for an Italian recipe! It’s good to find something that really looks good and delicious! Thanks for this sausage pasta recipe! It’s perfect!
I love that you left the sausage in bite sized chunks instead of breaking it up like ground sausage.
Delicious, btw