This delicious Italian Sausage Pasta combines rigatoni with sundried tomatoes and spinach in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. This easy pasta is one of our favorites and is always a hit with friends and family.
This easy Italian sausage pasta recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients and a little effort, you can have a flavorful and comforting pasta dish on the table in no time. This hearty pasta is a complete meal, but if guests are coming, I like to serve it with Italian chopped salad or cucumber tomato salad and garlic cheese bread.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Italian sausage: sweet, mild, or even hot if that is your thing
- Pasta: Several medium pasta shapes will work with this dish, including ziti, rotini, elbow, medium shells, cavatappi, and penne pasta.
- Chicken broth: preferably low-sodium
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated for the optimal taste
How to make Italian Sausage Pasta
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Brown the Italian Sausage in a large skillet. After several minutes, add the onion and continue cooking until the sausage browns and the onions soften. Reduce the heat, add the garlic and other spices, and cook for one minute while stirring. Plate the sausage mixture.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions, and drain well.
Add the chicken broth to the skillet. Add the heavy cream to the skillet, bring it to a boil, and then reduce it to a simmer. Simmer until it reduces by about half.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, and spinach. Continue cooking until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts. Add the sausage mixture and cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat and continue cooking over low heat until warm.
Preparation Tips
- Use a spoon to break up the Italian sausage so you have some small and larger pieces. Variety is good.
- The cream and chicken broth mixture can take up to 20 minutes to reduce, so plan accordingly. Reduce by about 50%.
- For optimal flavor, drain the oil from the sundried tomatoes.
Recipe Variations
- Meat: substitute browned ground beef or turkey. Try grilled chicken, shrimp, or scallops.
- Spicy: kick it up a few notches with some Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, or more crushed red pepper. Try adding minced jalapeno, minced chipotle peppers, or chopped green chilies.
- Veggies: add browned mushrooms, sautéed bell peppers, artichoke hearts, or capers.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Because of the amount of cream, I do not recommend freezing this dish. It would not harm you. It just would not be as tasty or aesthetically appealing.
More Pasta Recipes
Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian Sausage
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 12 ounces uncooked rigatoni
- ½ cup chicken broth low sodium
- 1¼ cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes julienne cut packed in oil drained
- 4-5 cups baby spinach
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Start browning the Italian Sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. After 3-4 minutes, add the onion and continue cooking until the sausage is browned and the onions are soft. Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic, marjoram, black pepper, rosemary, thyme leaves, and red flakes pepper, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Plate the sausage mixture and cover it with foil.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain well.
- Add the chicken broth to the skillet working to deglaze the bottom and collect all the brown bits. Add the heavy cream to the skillet. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it reduce by about half.
- Turn the heat to low and stir in the parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, and spinach. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted. Add the sausage mixture and pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking over low heat until the pasta dish is heated through.
Notes
- Use a spoon to break up the Italian sausage, so you have some small pieces and a few larger pieces. Variety is good.
- The cream and chicken broth mixture can take up to 20 minutes to reduce, so plan accordingly. Reduce by about 50%.
- For optimal flavor, drain the oil from the sundried tomatoes.
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Keith
I made this recipe last night. I added bs chicken thighs to it. About half a lb. I cut the sausage to the same measurements. My family enjoyed it. Next time I will make extra sauce.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Keith! I am glad that you and your family liked it.
Susan Brabham
My sister in law shared this me I’m eager to try this but it won’t let me print it what am I doing wrong?
Beth Pierce
Not sure. You can copy and paste to a google doc. You can also email me smalltownwoman.com@gmail.com with the name of the recipe and I will email it back.
Elizabeth
I made this last night for dinner exactly as printed–it was excellent!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Jan
My adult son, ever the food critic, gave this five stars. I used Italian turkey sausage and eliminated the black pepper and red pepper flakes to reduce the spiciness for my husband who has dietary issues. A keeper!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Jan! So happy that you liked it.
CJ
So so DEFINITELY TASTY! TO Try it IS TO LOVE IT!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, CJ!
CONNIE JEAN
Hi! I just wanted to inform the creator of the article that this was a perfect dish. I tried it last evening for dinner.8/22/24.. The whole family just enjoyed it so much and even my picky child told me the dish was restaurant worthy, so I felt rewarded! The one twist I HAD to do was sub for the heavy Cream as this was last minute. I instead used Alfredo sauce for that ingredient and it was tasty! I added garlic bread with provolone for the side. All in all this recipe is a nice tasty surprise!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Connie! I am so glad that everyone liked it.
Paula R
My family absolutely ADORED this creamy pasta with sausage. So good!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Paula! So glad that they liked it!
Kristine
Delicious and comforting! I haven’t made a creamy pasta in ages, really hit the spot. This is a keeper!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kristine!
Mahy
Fabulous pasta to making during a busy week. Great for the weekend dinner, too. Thanks for sharing it!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Mahy!
suja md
wonderful pasta to eat. Thank You
Ivory Finklea
I made this today 6/29/24
Beth Pierce
Glad that you liked it, Ivory!