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.














My husband is quite particular when it comes to dinner meals. He called this one a keeper. Quick, easy, and delicious.
Quick, easy and delicious 😋
I found your recipe while searching for Italian sausage meals. To lower the fat content ,I used half & half in place of heavy cream. I also used kale in place of spinach as kale retains its crunch and doesn’t wilt like spinach. Cut kale from stems, rolled leaves like a cigar, and sliced kale into a chiffonade cut. Excellent meal with crusty garlic bread.
Love this recipe. Easy and so good.
We made this on the weekend. It was super-delicious and so very easy to make! My entire family loved it. Thanks for this very great recipe.
Made this for dinner tonight 😋!
Everyone loved it,will probably be making this again.
My 9yr old grandson had 3 big scoop full,he also helped me make dinner.
“My little sous chef”!
Fabulous and easy
This was a rare win in my house and I made it totally last minute. Not only was it super easy but my picky eaters all loved it. Excited to have another yummy and easy meal to add to the rotation.
Made this tonight and used tortellini instead of penne. It’s amazing! Kid friendly and fast!
Can you use fresh sweet Italian sausage links instead of ground sausage.
You can always slice into the raw links and remove the meat from the casing. Same thing as ground.