Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a family favorite Italian pasta recipe! This easy pasta dish is full of savory sausage and a delicious, creamy, parmesan sauce and ready in 20 minutes!
With back to school in full force and busy nights ahead of us, I am finding myself reaching for new quick and easy dinner inspiration. I happen to love Italian sausage because it’s so flavorful and delicious, I can use it to make a simple meal that is flavor packed in no time. There’s nothing better than having a restaurant quality pasta dish on the table in 20 minutes! Plus, everyone in my house loves a good creamy pasta dish any night of the week!
How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta:
- For this Italian Sausage Pasta, you will start by cooking your penne pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water according to package directions.
- As soon as you add your pasta to the boiling water, you will heat some olive oil in a large skillet. Then, add in your Italian sausage, minced onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Once your sausage is cooked through, you can drain any excess grease from the pan if necessary. Then, return the meat mixture to the skillet.
- Then, you will turn your heat down to low. Add the cream to the pan and bring to a simmer, and put all of the spinach in the pan. It will take about 3-5 minutes for the spinach to wilt.
- Next, drain your pasta. Add your shredded parmesan (fresh is best!) and pasta and give everything a good stir to coat.
You guys have spoken and seem to be loving these easy 20-30 minute weeknight meals as much as we do! I’m happy to say this Italian sausage pasta is one of my personal faves! If you’re looking for more simple dinners, don’t miss my Creamy Parmesan One Pot Chicken and Rice or my One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper!
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 Pound Penne Pasta
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Yellow Onion Minced
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 5 Ounces Baby Spinach
- 1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Italian sausage along with the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt until the sausage is no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet if necessary and return the meat mixture to the pan.
- Turn the heat to low and add the cream to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and add in the spinach.
- Cook, stirring for about 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted. Stir the pasta into the sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I like this better using Spaghetti versus Pene. I also ass some pasta water for thickener.
Amazing! Been making this at least once a week for a year now. It’s simple, quick and full of creamy goodness!
I made this, and my family absolutely LOVED it!! Even my pickiest little sister thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is a delicious recipe! It was quick and easy. My only substitution was hot Italian sausage because that’s what was in my freezer. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for sharing!
so easy and amazing! I added broccoli and only used whatever cream I had…..and then added some of the water from the pasta and olive oil. Amazing. Thank you.
Loved this recipe! I only had 1 cup of heavy cream and substituted 1 cup light cream. Added some sun dried tomatoes and a 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. So delicious and so easy!
Is it possible to make with milk and not cream? Thanks
Wondering the same! Did it work okay?
I made it with milk because I didn’t have cream. It came out really good but cream would be better.
Went heavy handed on the red pepper since we lot it spicy here. I also added about a 1/2 tsp of dried basil and reserved about 1/2 cup of pasta water (for a thinner consistency and for the sauce to adhere to the penne). Thanks for the recipe! Easy to follow and prep in about 30 mins.
This was delicious! My kids, husband and I all enjoyed this meal! Thank you!
This was so quick! So easy and so good. Thanks!