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
Fried Zucchini
25 mins
Garlic Knot Recipe
20 mins
Antipasto Salad
15 mins
Olive Garden Breadsticks
2 hrs 27 mins
Desserts
Panna Cotta Recipe
4 hrs 10 mins
Almond Cookie Recipe
23 mins
Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
1 hr 20 mins
Chocolate Lava Cake
23 mins
More Pasta
Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
35 mins
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
25 mins
Pasta Carbonara
25 mins
Chicken Penne Pasta
30 mins
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This recipe was originally published February 2014.
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!