Miley This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is exactly what I crave when I want a comforting dinner that comes together fast. It’s rich, savory, and packed with bold Italian flavors. It’s the perfect way to turn simple sausage, pasta, and cream into something that feels special.
I’ve shared a lot of my favorite pasta recipes lately, and honestly, the simple ones might be the best part, especially this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta. I’m such a sucker for a creamy sauce and can’t wait to make this again, whether it’s for a quick weeknight meal or a cozy weekend dinner. This warm, filling pasta feels indulgent without much work, which is exactly what I need after a long day.
I made this pasta dish for the first time on a whim, and I’ve been making it ever since! Honestly, I might like it better than ordering out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta brings bold flavor together with very simple steps. You do not need fancy tools or rare ingredients to make it taste amazing.
Creamy and rich: The sauce turns silky and coats every piece of pasta.
Big flavor: Italian sausage adds depth without needing many spices.
Quick dinner: Everything comes together in about 30 minutes.
Easy to adjust: You can make it mild or spicy with one small change.
Family friendly: It fills everyone up and reheats well the next day.
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
Step by Step Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just tender. Stir once or twice so it does not stick. Before draining, save about half a cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it into small pieces. Cook until browned and cooked through. This step builds most of the flavor.
3. Add Onion and Garlic
Stir in the diced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if you want heat.
4. Pour in the Cream
Lower the heat slightly and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir well so it blends with the sausage and onion. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes until slightly thick.
5. Season the Sauce
Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep the seasoning light at first since the cheese adds salt later. Stir often to keep the sauce smooth.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the cooked pasta directly into the pan. Toss until every piece gets coated. If the sauce feels thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
7. Finish with Cheese and Basil
Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Turn off the heat and fold in the chopped basil. Taste once more and adjust seasoning if needed.
Tips and Variations
- Use hot sausage or extra red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Swap half the cream with milk for a lighter sauce.
- Add a splash of pasta water for silkier texture.
- Mushrooms or spinach work well in this sauce.
- Romano cheese can replace Parmesan if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta pairs well with simple sides. A crisp green salad with lemon dressing helps balance the richness. Garlic bread or warm rolls soak up extra sauce nicely.
When serving guests, I like adding extra grated cheese and fresh basil at the table. It makes the dish feel finished and inviting without more work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes. Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine all work well.
Can I make this ahead?
You can cook it earlier and reheat gently with a splash of cream or water.
Is this freezer friendly?
Cream sauces do not freeze well, so fresh is best.
Can I use chicken sausage?
Yes, chicken sausage works and makes it lighter.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta feels like the kind of meal you crave after a long day. It tastes rich, comforting, and satisfying without being hard to make.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just tender. Stir once or twice so it does not stick. Before draining, save about half a cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it into small pieces. Cook until browned and cooked through. This step builds most of the flavor.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the diced onion and cook until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes if you want heat.
- Pour in the Cream: Lower the heat slightly and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir well so it blends with the sausage and onion. Let it simmer gently for a few minutes until slightly thick.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep the seasoning light at first since the cheese adds salt later. Stir often to keep the sauce smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the pan. Toss until every piece gets coated. If the sauce feels thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish with Cheese and Basil: Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Turn off the heat and fold in the chopped basil. Taste once more and adjust seasoning if needed.
