Our family LOVES a good pasta dish, especially when it includes sausage. That’s why we can’t get enough of this tasty Italian sausage pasta!
It is a favorite and is on our rotation of easy dinner ideas. Plus, it’s on the table in only 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.
We usually make pasta or a similar Italian dish on Tuesdays each week, and this one is never missed. The whole family LOVES it! Italian sausage adds the perfect flavor to any pasta dish or soup, such as our Tortellini Soup or Sausage Soup.
For more sausage pastas, try our Chicken Sausage Pasta and Sausage Penne Pasta.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- It’s on the table in a flash. It only takes about 20 minutes to throw everything together. A quick prep time is perfect for busy weeknights!
- Simple ingredients and easy steps. There are just a few ingredients and some simple steps, making this a favorite, quick dinner!
- We never have leftovers. This is a hit with both kids and adults alike – it’s packed with flavor!
Italian Sausage Pasta Ingredients
- Bow tie pasta (16-ounce package) – Use a pasta with a sturdy shape that holds creamy sauce and sausage in every bite; or use penne pasta.
- Mild Italian sausage (1 pound) – Brings savory spices and richness, the main flavor driver. You can also use spicy pork sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage. You can even exchange the sausage for ground beef or ground chicken.
- Chopped onion (½ cup, optional)- Adds sweetness and body to the sauce while it softens with the sausage.
- Minced garlic (1½ teaspoons)- Flavors the skillet and deepens the Italian flavor. You can use minced garlic or mince 3 cloves of garlic.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional)- Optional heat that wakes up the cream and tomatoes.
- Italian stewed tomatoes, drained and chopped (2 cans, 14.5-ounce each)- Provide herby tomato flavor and the right saucy texture. Regular stewed tomatoes work too, but we usually add Italian seasoning.
- Heavy cream (1½ cups)- Melts into the tomatoes for a silky, creamy finish.
- Salt (½ teaspoon)- Balances the dairy and brightens the tomatoes and sausage
- Dried basil (¼ teaspoon)- A gentle herbal note that ties the sauce together.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, divided (1 cup)- Some melts into and flavors the sauce, the rest finishes the dish on top. Substitute the Parmesan with mozzarella, or a blend of provolone, fontina, Romano, and asiago.
How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta
PASTA. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot. Drain and set aside.
SAUSAGE. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, onion, garlic, and pepper flakes, stirring, for 4–5 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
SAUCE. Stir in tomatoes, cream, salt, basil, and ½ cup Parmesan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes or until thickened.
SERVE. Add pasta to the sausage mixture and toss. Garnish with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan and fresh parsley (if desired) before serving.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- We love this sauce mixed with pasta, but it can also be served over a bed of White Rice, Cauliflower Rice, Mashed Potatoes, or Baked Potatoes.
- Add sauteed veggies such as zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to this easy pasta recipe.
- Swap out the mild Italian sausage for chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or spicy sausage.
- We love to make a double batch, so we have one to eat now and one to freeze for later.
Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package bow tie pasta
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- ½ cup chopped onion, optional
- 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans Italian stewed tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, onion, garlic, and pepper flakes, stirring, for 4–5 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomatoes, cream, salt, basil, and ½ cup Parmesan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes or until thickened.
- Add pasta to sausage mixture and toss.
- Garnish with remaining ½ cup Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- We love this sauce mixed with pasta, but it can also be served over a bed of White Rice, Cauliflower Rice, Mashed Potatoes, or Baked Potatoes.
- Add sauteed veggies such as zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to this easy pasta recipe.
- Swap out the mild Italian sausage for chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or spicy sausage.
- We love to make a double batch, so we have one to eat now and one to freeze for later.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store the pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a small amount of cream as needed to revitalize the sauce. You can also microwave in 30-second increments until warm throughout.
Complete The Meal
Sides
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This recipe was originally published February 2014.
This was excellent. I did not change a thing it.
I’m happy to hear you loved it!
Where do you purchase the sausage? And what kind is it? Do they sell pre-ground sausage similar to hamburger?
This recipe is a HUGE hit with my entire family, including the kids, in-laws, cousins and friends!! Everyone has made this dish with many variations and it NEVER disappoints!!!
Love that!! Thanks for sharing! Glad it’s always a hit!
It was great I used a orange bell pepper instead of onion italin seasoning instead of basil diced tomatoes instead of stewed and mozzarella instead of parmesan oh and spicy italin sausage it was soo good thank you
It’s been a while since I’ve made a new recipe that my 8 year old, husband and myself all loved! This was so easy and super delicious! Perfect for a weeknight dinner. Thank you again- we will be making this again and again.
This recipe sounds tasty & easy. There are so many variations & additions to change it up. I will be making this,Thanks
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy!
I have made many a spaghetti dinner but none of them have been as tasty as this one is! My picky eaters loved it! (So did I!)
delicious thanks, love your recipes,
How would one go about making this in a multi funtion crockpot?
Oh my goodness! This pasta is so so good. I made it for my family and it was a total hit with all of them. Including the grandkids. So easy to make and goes well with a green salad and some fresh bread.
I followed the recipe as written and this pasta dish turned out ‘ah-mazing’! Thank you!
This is such an easy, peasy recipe, and my family just gobbled it up! I’m totally putting this on my meal plan again next week.
My family DEVOURED this! I make spaghetti a lot, so this was a nice way to change up Italian night at our house. Adding it to our regular meal rotation!
That makes me so happy to hear!! So glad the recipe is a hit!
I made this pasta it was soo delicious and easy to follow, i only add xtra 10 more garlics.
So glad to hear you enjoyed the pasta!
Yes, this is very very good. I had to use cream cheese because I did not have heavy cream. I would suggest 3 oz only. And we can’t use Basil.
Thanks for sharing what you did! Glad you enjoyed!
I am not a big recipe guy, yet the basis made sense. Absolutely great meal. I added to much red pepper and not enough garlic. I only went back for seconds twice. Thanks!
This Italian sausage pasta turned out so creamy, delicious and easy to make! The whole process took less than 30minutes to make!
Amazing and so easy to make! Everyone was amazed at how creamy and delis it was…I didn’t have any leftovers 😂
I’ve prepared this recipe so many times I know it by heart. Absolutely delicious and so easy.
Are you supposed to slice sausage links and cook that way, or remove the sausage from the casing before cooking if we have sausage links?
This was so good. I am dairy sensitive so I substituted cream with coconut milk. I will be adding this to my recipe list.
Should I be using the kind of stewed tomatoes that have Italian herbs already added to them (usually basil and oregano), or just plain stewed tomatoes?
So delicious! Tasted like a meal I would order again at a restaurant. 🙂 A hit with the whole family.
When you say Italian stewed tomatoes, do you mean San Marzano tomatoes, or canned tomatoes seasoned w basil/oregano/etc.?
It’s the canned tomatoes with seasonings.
My family loved this meal! I cut the pasta in half and still had enough to feed 5 adults! I also substituted Italian style Turkey and basil, garlic, oregano diced tomatoes (since my store was out of stewed tomatoes). This is like a quick and easy version of our baked ziti favorite without heating up the oven and kitchen during the summer!!
Delicious and quick!!
Very good! It’s a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome!
I’ve used this recipe several times now. Love it!
Yay! So happy to hear that!
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Any suggestion on tomato substitute
I hope you enjoy it & can find something to use instead of the tomatoes. I haven’t tried it with anything else, but you could try another veggie? It will taste a little different.
Loves it and so did hubby.
I believe it’s your recipe for spicy infused cold pasta using bow tie pasta. It’s delicious and of course I can’t find the recipe
This recipe looks delicious! You think it would be okay to replace the stewed tomatoes with sun dried tomatoes and maybe some tomato paste? Thank you in advance for replying, hopefully you’ll see this before I make dinner tonight lol
Dang delicious! I used fresh tomatoes from my garden, omitted the chopped onion but did sprinkle a little onion powder in while cooking sausage.
I didn’t have cream on hand so I mixed some milk, and sour cream with 2 big dollops of cream cheese.
Soooo yummy!
This is one of my son’s favorites! We blend the tomatoes up so our sauce isn’t Chucky. My daughter doesn’t like pasta mixed together (which is wild to me). I love that I can separate it as I go!
So glad I came across your recipe! I’m only sad I didn’t find it sooner! Will totally be adding this into our dinner rotation ❤️🙌
This recipe was so delicious! I wanted to eat the whole thing in one setting. I used half and half and a little tomato paste and it turned out amazing!
I’m so glad you loved the recipe!! Thanks for sharing what you did.
I make this meal so much! We love it! My son even made it in his cooking class during free time last year!
I have been making this bow tie sausage pasta for a few years now! So quick and easy! One of my husbands favorite meals! Yummm!!
Wow! On repeat! So yummy!!!
Definitely worth 5 stars. My family absolutely loves this pasta. So good and easy to make. It is even good as leftovers.
I absolutely love this pasta dish. It is so easy and so good. It is even good for leftovers.
This is our absolute favorite pasta recipe! It’s super easy. I hate cooking, but actually enjoy this one! Limited clean up! I keep all these ingredients on hand and we make it at least once a month! We always add Zucchini or Yellow Squash and it is delicious!
We LOVED this recipe! (All except my very picky 10 year old…but he doesn’t like much of anything.) So simple and so delicious!
Yay! I’m so glad you all (well, almost all 😉 haha) enjoyed it!!
I can’t wait to try this! Question – what is milk bulk sausage exactly? Would jimmy deans regular sausage work? Thanks!
That’s a typo! Thanks for catching that. It’s supposed to be MILD bulk Italian sausage. The bulk just means it’s not in the links/casings. And yes, the Jimmy Dean’s regular sausage would also work for this recipe.
You are the SWEETEST for taking the time to reply back to me. I made this over the weekend and I can’t tell you how obsessed my family is!! You nailed it! My sister, mom and I are so excited to try your other recipes! Thank you 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad it was a success!
Love this recipe! It is delicious and so easy.
Delicious and easy are two of my favorite words! Glad you loved it so much!
This Bow Tie Pasta recipe is now one of our go to’s.
It is excellent and so easy!!
That makes me so happy to hear! Easy and excellent are some of my favorite words. Thanks so much for trying it!
Can u use chicken instead!
Sure! Just substitute the chicken for the Italian sausage. You can use chicken sausage as well. Let me know how it turns out!
Hello, great recipe! When it says 991 calories, is that per serving?!
Can 2% milk be used instead of heavy cream?
I am sure it could, though I have not tried. It might not be as creamy.
Amazing!
Happy you think so 🙂 Thank you!
Kristen, I make this about once a month for me and the hubby. It’s quick, easy, and delicious. I think anyone could make any small alterations or additions and it would still be delicious! We are loving your site!
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! I am so glad you do!!
This is amazing and also kid friendly. It was so good and easy to make. We had this two times in a week we enjoyed it so much.
That’s what I love to hear! Thank you for trying it 🙂
We make this almost every week!
We have this at least once a month! Even my picky eaters love this! It is so delicious!
This is quick and easy and delicious. I use fire roasted tomatoes and spicy Italian sausage and add hot pepper flakes. We have this at least once a week.
Sounds good! Thank you for sharing that!
I absolutely love this recipe. it is easy, delicious, and very filling… I have a very picky teenager and a four year old. they both thoroughly enjoy it!
Well, that makes me so happy! I am glad they did! Thanks for trying it!
Absolu delicious. Easy to make in a short amount of time
Yes, it is! Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you so much!
Seriously so delicious!!! My mouth waters just thinking about it. Can’t wait to make it again.
Glad you liked it that much! Thank you for trying it 🙂
Where is the video?
I am seeing it on my end, so not sure why you aren’t?
If I want to add a layer of cheese on top and bake this, would it need extra sauce or pasta water added? How, if at all would you modify this? I’ve made a few times as directed and it’s delicious! Thank you.
Glad you like it! I have not added a layer of cheese on top, but I would maybe add just a little more pasta water & stick under the broiler until cheese is nice & melted.
Wow this was such a winner in my house! Truly so comforting, DELICIOUS, and best of all soooo easy! My only chanGe was that I used one can of tomatoes and about 3 or 4 tablespoons of tomato Paste. The sauce was perfectly thick And coated the noodles beaUtifully. A hungry husband, and my 4 and 2 year old boys all loved it. Thank you for a new recipe to add to the rotation 🙂
You are so welcome! Glad it made the rotation!! Thank you 🙂
is milk bulk italian sausage a typo?
Very good. Quick easy dinner.
I am so glad you think so! Thank you so much for letting me know 🙂
This meal was delicious and so easy to make. My whole family loved it! This has been added to the rotation.
Glad it made the rotation! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Whats milk bulk italian sausage? And is the heavy whipping cream a necessary? Can I sub Reg milk or half and half? Just because we don’t use it enough so i hate that it goes bad for 1 recipe
Milk bulk Italian sausage is a combination of chicken & pork meats & bulk is the meat without the casing. I have only used the heavy whipping cream, but you can sub whatever you like. It might change it a little, with consistency. Hope you like it!
This was really good! i used canned diced tomatoes, undrained, and just cooked off most of the liquid with the herbs in before i added the cream (I used half and half) I also added 5 oz package of fresh baby spinach, chopped, at the end and let it cook in. I did miss the richness of the full cream, but it was an outstanding dish even without it. thanks so much for sharing.
You are so welcome!! Thank you for sharing what you did. That sounds perfect!
How would you reccom adding in spinach?
I would add it in step 3 🙂 That’s a good idea!!
This has a nice flavor but if I make it again I will reduce the pasta by about half. There wasn’t nearly enough sauce for that much pasta! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
You are so welcome! Thank you for trying it!
Italian sausage pasta is one of the quickest penne pasta recipes that you’ll find. You mix it, cook it, and serve it in less than 20 minutes.
Thank you for sharing that!
Thank you very much
That looks delicious!
You are so welcome!! I hope you try it!
This recipe was DElicious! I loved the flavor with the sausage in it. My daughter said she could have this for every meal- hahaha
This meal is a huge Hit with my family. We love it and its def in our rotation a lot
Yay!! I love hearing that! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
I love the bit of heat in this pasta dish! Do delicious.
One of the best pasta recipes that I have made! Making this one again soon! Everyone LOVED it!
My family loved this dish! We love sausage & it was a nice change from using chicken. It was super tasty & easy to make.
Just had it this evening. We loved it! Definitely a keeper! Thank you for sharing. P.S. Only confusion was with what size canned tomatoes your recipe called for. I used a 26.5 oz. box of Italian tomatoes and it was perfect.
Thank you for letting me know!! I am happy to hear it is a keeper!!
I haven’t made recipe yet, but I was going to ask what size can of tomatoes? It says tow but small or large?
It like the 15 ounce 🙂
This is such an easy And deliCious meal for any day of the week! Plus you will have a yummy lunch for the next day as well!
Yes! Thank you so much for sharing that!
I Made this for the family, while cooking I tASTED IT AND I loved it, I know they will. Thanks for sharing!
Wow!! This is realllly good!!!!! Love it ?
Yay! I am so glad you think so! Thank you for letting me know!
I made this last nigHt and it was SO good! My whole fam loved it!
This looked so delicious, i almost doubled the recipe, for leftovers. ThaNk good ess i didnt. This made so much, and was so delicious. I put it into our “definitely make again” dinner rotation.
Oh, I am so glad! Thank you for giving it a try!
Absolute hit, we all loved it! Ans soooo easy
Yay!! Love to hear that 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know!
Kristyn, my husband and i had the italian sasusage pasta and it was awesome! My husband really did like he had three helpings. Thank you so for a great meal that was easy to make after a long day at work.
Cindy
You are so welcome!! I am so glad he liked it!! That makes me happy 🙂 Thank you so much!
This recipe was AMAZING, I’ll definitely be adding it to my book of recipes. My only issue is…it wasn’t enough (Family of 5)!! LOL, I will for sure be doubling the recipe next time.
Glad your family loved it! At least, you know for next time 🙂
very tasty! Next time I will use the italian blend of DICED tomatoes… the stewed tomatoes were just too big and chunky for my liking
That would totally work 🙂 I am glad you liked it!
Instead of bowtie pasta i used tri-coloured rotini. It tasted great used spicy italian sasuage for extra heat and kept them whole and cut them in circles. Can’t wait to make this again.
Sounds great!! Thanks for sharing & thanks for trying it!
I made this today but used Italian sausage links grilled then added to skillet with the other ingredients for that step. I also didn’t have grated Parmesan so used grated mozzarella instead. It turned out great… restaurant quality. I may try with ground Italian sausage next time but I do like the slices of sausage with the bow tie pasta.
I am glad you liked it 🙂 Thanks for sharing your changes. They sound perfect!
Could I use milk instead of heavy whipping cream to lower the fat content?
I haven’t tried, I know the heavy whipping cream thickens it & makes it more creamy. You could try a light version? I’m not quite sure if milk will do that.
One of my new favorite dinner dishes! It was easy and delicious. I have plenty to pack for my lunch tomorrow.
It’s great as leftovers! Thanks!
What else could be used instead of the Italian stewed tomatoes. They were kind of big in the dish.
You could just use regular canned tomatoes or even fresh tomatoes, chopped. Really whatever you like 🙂
How do you think this recipe would turn out if I used crushed tomatoes instead of diced? My husband hates chunks of tomatoes. This recipie looks delicious!!
I’m sure it would be just great 🙂
This recipe was delicious!! Thanx for sharing. The only problem that I had was that adding the Parmesan cheese to the cream sauce and boiling it, caused it to clump up badly and stick to the bottom of the pan and the spatula. Is it better to stir in the Parmesan once the sauce has been off the burner for a few minutes and cooled slightly?
If you want, you could. I didn’t have an issue with it clumping, as long as you stir it in & the heat isn’t boiling at that point. I’m glad you liked it though! Thanks & I hope that helps!
Absolutely delish! I make a pretty good pasta sauce, but this is so light and tasty. Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome!! Glad you like it! Thank you!
This recipe was amazing! Only thing I adjusted was the dried basil to fresh. Delicious! I doubled the recipe so me and my family of 5 will get to enjoy this dish for at least 4 more days haha! It makes a ton! Yum yum yum and so super easy! Thank you!!!
Love hearing that!! I’m glad your family liked it! Thank you for giving it a try!
Wish I could pin this recipe. Why is there no button to pin just the recipe?
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! Where has this recipe been all my life recipe and how come I never knew about it?! It was insanely good! Added mushrooms and kept everything else as stated. The sauce is so good I could just dip crusted bread in it and be happy 🙂 Next time I will double it!
You are too sweet!! I’m so glad you found it and tried it! Thanks so much for letting me know!
This was delicious and super easy! I think it would be even easier putting the pasta in when you add the liquid and make it a one pot meal! I used Italian chicken sausage and will probably add zucchini next time. Even my 8 month old loved it!
Those are great ideas!! It’s an easy recipe to change up 🙂 Thanks for sharing and so happy that you guys liked it!
I made this last night, and it was amazing! I made two dishes from your site, and both were fabulous!
So glad you liked this Leina!! Curious what the other recipe was that you liked?
Made this twice and it’s delicious! Super easy! Did it with fresh basil at the end the first time, dried the second time, and definitely prefer the fresh garnish at the end. Great recipe!
I made this for my dad tonight for Fathers Day dinner. It was a huge hit! So yummy and so easy to make! A perfect blend of flavors. Will definitely be making this again! Thank you!
Second time ive made this recipe everyone loves it even my two little. Makes ALOT but it tastes even better the next day 🙂 Thank you!
Totally agree – this is a great leftovers recipe. It’s one of our favorites! 😀
Looks delicious! My husband would love this
It’s so yummy! And it’s easy too! 🙂
Pasta will be on the menu tonight. The sausage with the creamy pasta is so good!
Oh yum!! What is it about bow tie pasta that makes it taste so much better than other pasta!? Pinned 🙂
Not sure but I totally agree!! LOVE Bow tie pasta. 🙂
If you put the curser over the pic, the PIN IT button should appear or you could right click & PIN that way. Hope that helps!
I would inhale this!
That looks absolutely DELISH!!!!!!! Adding to my menu for sure.
That looks delicious!
Thanks, Amy!
Oh that looks so good!!
xoxxo
Thank you so much, friend!