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.
Is this recipe OK to freeze? I am so excited to make this super easy recipe and wanted to make a double batch to save some for another quick heat and serve weeknight dinner
I only have arugula would that work ? Or just leave that out?
It would probably be just fine 🙂
If you only have milk…add some Wondra or flour substitute to thicken the sauce.
Can I use without spinach ?
Yes!
This is excellent and easy to make. Great recipe! Used 1/2 cup regular milk since I only had 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and it worked fine. Thanks
Can I substitute kale for spinach?
Yes 🙂
Has anyone substituted the cream all together?? Milk? I don’t want to go out for just 1 item and have everything else.
Milk works just fine, the sauce just won’t be quite as thick 🙂
I used coconut cream. Very good!
Very easy to make. Since I’m trying to limit store exposure due to the virus I made a few simple substitutions. I just used the items I already had around the house. Everyone still thought it was delicious. I subbed the Penne pasta for a combo of egg noddle and Rotini. Instead of fresh spinach I used a can. I also decided to add some sautéed mushrooms to mix. Thanks again for this delicious recipe! ?
This is one of my favourite recipes. It is so easy to put together and tastes wonderful. My husband loves this dinner too. I make it all the time!
This recipe is not only easy but restaurant quality!! Everyone in my house decided it is a keeper!!! We loved it and it will be included in our weekly menu. I can’t relay how good it was!!
This dish is so good. My husband calls it the Olive Garden dish! I’ve used heavy whipping cream and I’ve used just regular whipping cream because that’s all my store has since this nasty virus. I don’t use garlic or onion because I never have it on my house… I add garlic powder and onion powder to the sausage and to the final dish. I also only use salt for the pasta while boiling. It is so yummy and so easy to make!