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Easy cheesy Italian sausage pasta is creamy, delicious, and perfectly spiced. It’s a family favorite ready in only 20 minutes!
Italian sausage adds the perfect flavor to any pasta dish. We also love Italian sausage in soups like our Tortellini Soup or Sausage Soup!
We Love Pasta!
Our family has always been long-time fans of pasta, as well as long-time fans of sausage. It’s only natural to combine the two in this tasty dinner idea to make Italian Sausage Pasta. It was an instant hit and is on our rotation of easy dinner ideas.
We usually make Pasta or a similar Italian dish on Tuesdays each week, and this one that is never missed. The whole family loves it!
Why we love it:
- Quick. It only takes about 20 minutes to throw everything together. A quick prep time is perfect for busy weeknights!
- Easy. There are few ingredients and just a few steps.
- Tasty. This is a hit with both kids and adults alike – it’s packed with flavor!
Simple Ingredients
- bow tie pasta – Substitute pasta with a bed of White Rice, Cauliflower Rice, Mashed Potatoes, or Baked Potatoes.
- mild Italian sausage – or use spicy pork sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage. You can even exchange the sausage for ground beef or ground chicken.
- onion
- minced garlic or garlic cloves
- crushed red pepper flakes – optional to taste
- Italian stewed tomatoes – canned Diced tomatoes work too, but we usually will add extra seasonings
- heavy cream
- salt
- dried basil
- Parmesan cheese – Substitute the Parmesan with mozzarella, or a blend of provolone, fontina, Romano, and asiago.
Ready in 20 minutes
- 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 remaining ½ cup Parmesan before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Variations.
- Meatless. Try this pasta by omitting the sausage altogether.
- Veggies. Add veggies such as zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to this easy pasta recipe.
- Serving suggestions. Try serving this pasta with Fried Zucchini, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chicken Caesar Salad, Garlic Knot Recipe, or Olive Garden Breadsticks.
Storing Info
- STORE leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave, oven, or a pan on the stove. The pasta may have absorbed some of the liquid leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit more cream before heating.
- FREEZE. Whether you’re freezing this ahead of time or wish to save any leftovers. Cool and pour into an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.
- Thaw and heat on the stovetop over LOW heat stirring constantly. Add a small amount of cream as needed to revitalize the sauce.
For More Pasta Dishes:
Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
Easy cheesy Italian sausage pasta is creamy, delicious, and perfectly spiced. It's a family favorite ready in only 20 minutes!
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.
Video
Notes
Variations: Swap out the mild Italian sausage for chicken sausage, turkey sausage or spicy sausage, or substitute mozzarella or a blend of provolone, fontina, Romano, and Asiago cheeses for the Parmesan. You can also add vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms or spinach in Step 3.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 650kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 60g, Saturated Fat: 30g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 167mg, Sodium: 1269mg, Potassium: 368mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1286IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 248mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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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?