This scrumptious 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 hearty pasta is a complete meal, but if guests are expected, I like to serve it with Italian chopped salad or cucumber tomato salad and garlic cheese bread.
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.
What You’ll Need
- Italian sausage: sweet or mild
- Vegetables: onions, garlic, baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
- Seasonings: dried marjoram, black pepper, crushed rosemary, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt
- Pasta: rigatoni, ziti , penne, or rotini
- Chicken broth: low-sodium
- Dairy: heavy cream and Parmesan cheese
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 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.
Turn 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
- Several medium pasta shapes will work with this dish, including ziti, rotini, elbow, medium shells, cavatappi, and penne pasta.
- 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.
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
- 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 1 1/4 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
- Several shapes of medium pasta will work with this dish, including ziti, rotini, elbow, medium shells, cavatappi, and penne pasta.
- 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.
- 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 appetizing or aesthetically appealing.
Nutrition
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Blair Villanueva
We love pasta at home, and we are always trying new pasta recipes. Thanks for sharing with us. It was absolutely delicious.
Frank
This looks yummy, I’m always on the look of trying new pasta recipes. I think would be perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Cinny
This is one of my husband’s favorite dishes. He wants me to make it for him again. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Elizabeth O
This easy pasta dish is full of savory sausage and a delicious vegetables. This is a family favorite.
tweenselmom
this looks soo good, i miss making italian pasta for the family 🙂
anatureescape
Thanks for adding the variation section. I love the veggie option!
Lara M
Even though I didn’t have any spinach or sun-dried tomatoes, the recipe was SO delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again, but with all of the ingredients. Thank you so much for this recipe!!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Lara! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Kim
This was DELICIOUS!!! Only change was I used half and half since I had a full container. Great substitute but since it’s not as fatty/thick as heavy cream has to add some corn starch so FYI if you sub in half and half! So flavorful and easy. And made a lot for leftovers for lunches! Love that the spinach is in the pasta so no need for a side salad right?! 😂
Beth Pierce
Yes indeed. I love spinach in my pasta! Good tip on the half and half.
Edgar
Yyyaaayyyyy….I miss this delicacy so much! It’s one of those few that made my childhood a pure joy! Thanks for the memories and sharing about it.
Neely
Sounds absolutely delicious! My husband would love this
Subarna
This Creamy sausage pasta is just looking so tempting. I am just drooling. Neet to try it soon. thanks for sharing
Thena
Now this looks like my kind of pasta dish! I love how simple and easy this sausage pasta recipe is!
Emman
Your Italian Sausage Pasta is so yummy! I made it the other night for my family and they loved it! Thanks for the great recipe.
Claudia
With back to school in full force and busy nights ahead of me, I am finding myself reaching for new quick dinner inspiration. Thanks for this
briannemanz
I love that this pasta dish is full of flavorful sausages. It`s a family favorite Italian pasta recipe.
Alita Pacio
This Italian Sausage pasta looks so delicious. I`d love to discover new recipes this year