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 a comforting, indulgent dinner that comes together quickly, you’re going to love this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for those nights when you want something hearty but fuss-free. Stick around—I’ll walk you through exactly how to make it shine.

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 quickly became one of my go-to weeknight dinners because it hits all the right notes—comfort, speed, and incredible flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day yet doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

Quick and Easy: Takes about 20 minutes, perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without the wait.
Rich and Flavorful Sauce: The creamy Parmesan sauce combined with Italian sausage creates a wonderfully decadent pasta experience.
Versatile Ingredients: Adaptable with whatever veggies or protein you have on hand, making it perfect for using up odds and ends.
Family Friendly: Most folks, including kids, love the mild spice and creamy texture, making this a crowd-pleaser every time.

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

Each ingredient in this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe plays a vital role to balance flavor and texture perfectly. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes them special and a few tips to score the best results when shopping.

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 is the star protein—full of herbs and spices that add depth and savory richness. If you want less spice, go mild sausage.
Penne Pasta: Perfect for holding onto all that luscious sauce in its tube shape. You can swap for rigatoni or fusilli if you prefer.
Butter: Adds a silky richness that complements the heavy cream and helps saute the aromatics beautifully.
Yellow Onion: Gives a subtle sweetness that rounds out the savory sausage flavor.
Garlic: That unmistakable punch of flavor—fresh minced garlic is a must here.
Heavy Cream: The foundation of the creamy sauce, making everything irresistibly smooth and velvety.
Chicken Broth or Dry White Wine: I love deglazing the pan with wine for a touch of acidity, but broth works great too—just deglaze well to capture all those flavorful bits.
Italian Seasoning: Adds herby notes that tie the sausage and sauce together perfectly.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts into the sauce, boosting savoriness and giving a subtle nutty flavor.
Fresh Baby Spinach: Adds a nice pop of green and a bit of freshness to cut through the richness.

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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

I love switching this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe up depending on the mood. It’s so flexible that you can easily make it your own by swapping ingredients or adjusting flavors.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is adding sun-dried tomatoes instead of spinach for a sweet-tangy pop that brightens up the dish beautifully.
Make it Spicy: If you’re like me and love a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes while cooking the onions—I usually add a pinch or two.
Vegetarian Version: Swap out the sausage for chunky sautéed mushrooms and use vegetable broth; the sauce is so rich it won’t feel like you’re missing the meat.
Cheesy Boost: For extra indulgence, stir in a little cream cheese or mascarpone right before serving.

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

Step 1: Cook Pasta Just Right

First things first—you want your penne perfectly al dente. Follow the package instructions but taste a minute or two before the minimum time to avoid mushy pasta later. Once drained, I toss it with a tiny drizzle of olive oil to stop sticking and set it aside.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, I brown the ground Italian sausage, breaking up any clumps with my spatula. This step is all about developing flavor and getting those crispy little caramelized bits. When it’s nicely browned (about 5 minutes), scoop it out and drain excess grease from the pan to keep the sauce silky but not greasy.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze

Next, melt butter in the same pan, and sauté the minced onion until translucent and soft. Add the garlic and cook just 30 seconds more—it’s easy to burn it, so watch closely! Now, pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up those caramelized bits from the sausage and onions. That’s where the magic lives.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the heavy cream along with the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Toss in the grated Parmesan and stir until the cheese melts completely, ensuring the sauce becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon—about 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Add Greens and Finish

Stir in fresh baby spinach until it wilts down, then return the cooked sausage to the sauce and combine. Finally, add your drained pasta and toss until everything is luxuriously coated. At this point, give it a quick taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Dish up your creamy sausage pasta right away while it’s nice and warm. This is comfort food at its finest.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really elevate the dish and ensure consistent deliciousness every time. These small details make a big difference.

Sear the Sausage Well: Don’t rush browning the sausage—getting good caramelization develops deeper flavor that shines through the sauce.
Deglaze Thoroughly: Use your spatula to scrape every brown bit from the pan after adding the wine or broth—it’s pure flavor gold.
Add Cheese Slowly: Stir Parmesan in gradually over low heat so the sauce doesn’t clump and becomes perfectly creamy.
Don’t Overcook Pasta: Remember it continues to soften in the sauce—al dente saves you from ending up with mushy noodles.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

creamy sausage pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper on top—simple but adds a lovely finishing touch. A few torn fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley brighten the plate and add a pop of color that makes it feel special.

Side Dishes

A light, crisp side salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs beautifully to cut through the richness. Sometimes I serve garlic bread or a warm loaf of crusty Italian bread for mopping up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to plate the pasta in shallow bowls and garnish with microgreens or edible flowers when available. It instantly elevates the dish to restaurant level and always impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find they keep well for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so adding a splash of cream or broth when reheating helps restore that luscious texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes okay, but the cream sauce can separate a bit. To minimize this, I freeze portions without pasta, then cook fresh pasta when ready to eat and combine them at reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or cream, stirring constantly. Microwave can work but risks uneven heating or the sauce breaking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use turkey sausage instead of Italian sausage?

Yes! Turkey sausage is a great leaner alternative. Just keep in mind it tends to be less fatty and flavorful, so you might want to add some extra Italian seasoning or a splash of olive oil for richness.

How do I avoid the sauce breaking or curdling?

To prevent curdling, make sure to add the cheese over low heat and avoid boiling the cream sauce vigorously. Gentle simmering keeps it smooth and creamy.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep some elements ahead. Cook and cool the pasta and sausage separately, then store in the fridge. When ready, make the sauce fresh and combine everything quickly for best texture and flavor.

What types of pasta work best for this recipe?

Penne is great because of its shape, but rigatoni, fusilli, or even farfalle work well too since they all hold the sauce nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a little celebration in every bite. It’s creamy, flavorful, and straightforward enough that I keep coming back to it whenever I want a no-fuss dinner that comforts and satisfies. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll earn a spot in your dinner rotation too. So go ahead, treat yourself and enjoy every creamy, cheesy forkful!