Name: Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground Italian sausage; 1 lb. penne pasta; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced; 3–4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)

If you’re craving comfort food that’s quick, luscious, and packed with flavor, you’re in the right place. This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe offers a perfect balance of savory sausage, tender pasta, and a dreamy, cheesy sauce that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Stick around, and I’ll share all my tips to make it turn out perfectly every time!

creamy sausage pasta - A large silver pan filled with creamy pasta made of light yellow penne noodles mixed evenly with small pieces of cooked ground meat and green spinach leaves, all coated in a smooth cream sauce. The dish is sprinkled with small green herb bits and cracks of black pepper. A wooden spoon rests on the pasta, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface next to a striped cloth and a small white bowl with colored peppercorns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe has become one of my go-to weeknight meals because it’s surprisingly simple with just a handful of ingredients yet delivers such rich, satisfying flavors. Plus, it comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for when you want something cozy without spending all evening in the kitchen.

Speedy prep: You’ll have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, even on busy days.
Flavor-packed sausage: The Italian sausage adds a delicious, savory punch that pairs beautifully with creamy sauce.
Creamy, dreamy sauce: The combo of heavy cream, Parmesan, and a touch of broth or wine creates a luscious texture that clings nicely to every pasta piece.
Flexible and forgiving: Customize it easily with your favorite veggies or spice levels.

creamy sausage pasta - A white plate holds a serving of penne pasta mixed with small pieces of browned sausage and fresh green spinach leaves, all coated in a creamy white sauce with specks of black pepper and chopped herbs sprinkled on top. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. In the background, there is another white plate with plain penne pasta slightly out of focus, and a small white bowl filled with mixed peppercorns. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth napkin on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s chat about the ingredients that make this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe shine. Each one plays a role in building a balance of hearty, creamy, and fresh flavors that work harmoniously. When shopping, look for good quality Italian sausage—it’s the star protein here! Also, snag fresh Parmesan for that nutty richness in the sauce.

creamy sausage pasta - Flat lay of fresh Italian ground sausage with a rich marbled texture, uncooked penne pasta in a pale golden hue, a small mound of bright green baby spinach leaves with delicate veins, a bunch of plump garlic cloves with papery white skins, half a yellow onion finely minced showing its pale yellow layers, a generous pile of grated Parmesan cheese in fine snowy white flakes, and a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs in mixed green and brown tones, all carefully spread out and naturally overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ground Italian sausage: This brings bold seasoning and richness—fresh is best, but frozen works too.
Penne pasta: Its tubular shape catches all the creamy sauce perfectly.
Butter: Helps sauté onions and garlic to soften flavors without overpowering.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed gently.
Garlic: Brings aroma and a touch of savory punch; fresh cloves make a difference.
Heavy cream: The base for that silky, rich sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything.
Chicken broth or dry white wine: Adds acidity and helps deglaze the pan for flavor complexity.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that rounds out the profile.
Salt and pepper: Essential to enhance all flavors.
Parmesan cheese: Melts smoothly into the sauce for cheesiness and umami.
Fresh baby spinach: Adds freshness, color, and a mild earthiness while wilting beautifully into the sauce.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your preferences. Whether you like a little extra heat, prefer different greens, or want to lighten it up, there’s plenty of room to play around.

Variation: My favorite twist is swapping baby spinach for mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes — they bring a lovely depth of flavor and texture.
Make it spicy: Toss in a pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes while sautéing the sausage for a gentle kick.
Vegetarian option: Skip the sausage and add sliced mushrooms or crumbled tofu; just boost seasoning with smoked paprika for a savory note.
Richer sauce: For a decadent Alfredo-style finish, stir in extra Parmesan cheese or even a little mascarpone.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the pasta to al dente perfection

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. I always add enough salt so the water tastes like the sea—it really seasons the pasta from the inside out. Cook your penne according to package directions until just al dente. Overcooked pasta won’t hold up so well once mixed with the sauce. Drain and set aside, reserving a splash of the pasta water just in case.

Step 2: Brown the sausage and build that flavor base

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. You’re looking for nice caramelized bits without burning. This takes about 5 minutes. When browned, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and drain off excess grease to keep the sauce from getting too oily.

Step 3: Sauté onions and garlic for depth

Using the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced onion. Cook until soft and translucent—this usually takes 3-4 minutes. Toss in the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. This step layers in sweetness and aroma that you can really taste in the final dish.

Step 4: Deglaze and add liquids

Return the cooked sausage to the pan and pour in chicken broth or dry white wine to deglaze. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pan—they’re flavor gold. Let it simmer briefly to meld.

Step 5: Create the creamy sauce

Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and season generously with salt and pepper. Bring just to a gentle boil, then add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and silky smooth. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon—this usually takes 3-5 minutes.

Step 6: Finish with spinach and pasta

Toss in the baby spinach and stir gently until it wilts, adding freshness and a pop of color. Finally, add the drained pasta and toss until every piece is luxuriously coated in the creamy sauce. If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen things up.

Serve immediately, and enjoy every rich, comforting bite!

Top Tip

After countless times making this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that turn good into great. Here are the top tips that help you get that perfect balance of rich sauce and flavorful sausage every time.

Don’t rush browning: Take your time to brown the sausage well—it develops deeper flavor and texture.
Use quality Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and tastes way creamier than pre-grated varieties.
Add pasta water if too thick: Reserved cooking water is starchy and helps loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
Season gradually: Taste as you go to avoid over-salting, especially with the sausage and Parmesan already salty.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I like to finish off this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil—it adds a bright, fresh contrast and pops visually. A little extra grated Parmesan on top never hurts either. Sometimes, I even add a dash of red pepper flakes if I’m craving that subtle heat.

Side Dishes

Pair this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. Garlic bread is a no-fail classic here, perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try plating the pasta in individual shallow bowls, topping each with a sprig of fresh herb and a little drizzle of olive oil. Adding toasted pine nuts or crispy sage leaves gives a lovely crunch that surprises guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The cream sauce thickens when chilled, so before reheating, I add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up. It stays tasty for 2-3 days, perfect for next-day lunches.

Freezing

Freezing creamy pasta can be tricky because the sauce can separate, but if you plan to freeze, do so before adding the spinach (add fresh when reheating). Wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before warming gently on the stove.

Reheating

Reheat over low heat on the stove, stirring often, adding liquid as needed to keep it creamy and prevent scorching. The texture holds up surprisingly well if you don’t rush this step.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne is great because it holds the sauce well, you can use rigatoni, fusilli, or even farfalle. Just make sure to cook it al dente for the best texture.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream cheese as a lighter alternative, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich and thick. Coconut cream can work for a dairy-free option but alters the flavor significantly.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the sausage and sauté the onions and garlic ahead, then assemble the sauce and pasta just before serving for fresher results. The full dish is best made fresh but can be stored refrigerated as leftovers.

How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Great question! You can stir in peas, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or bell peppers either when sautéing the onions or right before adding the spinach. Just make sure to adjust the sauce thickness if your veggies add extra moisture.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe feels like a little celebration every time I make it. It’s one of those perfect comfort dishes that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight but still delicious enough to impress anyone at your dinner table. I can’t wait for you to try it and maybe even make it your own with some creative tweaks. Happy cooking and savor every creamy bite!