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    Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    March 12, 2019 by Kelly 64 Comments

    This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is so creamy and so full of flavor! Hot buttered pasta is tossed with Italian sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes!

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight this recipe!

    Coming back at you today with another amazing pasta dish that’s quick and oh so easy. Two things we love around here are pasta (!) and a quick weeknight dinner. This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta nails them both!

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    My family loves this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta. I love how easy it is to make.

    The flavor of the Italian sausage permeates the sauce after a short 10 minute simmer. The sauce is so creamy and has just the right amount of garlic and just the right amount of parmesan. Everything perfectly balanced. Baby spinach adds color and sneaks in some veggies. You have to try it to believe how good it is. This is one of those cases when the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    Jump to Section

    • How to make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
    • Serving Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
    • Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    How to make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    A little onion and garlic are sautéed in olive oil until softened. Then Italian sausage is added – with the casings removed. If your sausage doesn’t have fennel in it, add a half teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds - the fennel is what really gives it amazing flavor.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    When the sausage is brown, deglaze the pan with chicken broth. Add cream, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning and let it come to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and slowly add the parmesan cheese while whisking or stirring it in. Turning off the heat first is important. If you add the parmesan to a bubbling sauce and it gets too hot, too fast, it may seize and clump up – completely ruining the dish. You’ll end up with big clumps of cheese and spinach all stuck together. (I ate those clumps so you wouldn’t have to. 🙂 )

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    Stir in some baby spinach – you can leave it whole or roughly chop it, however you like.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    Combine the sauce with the hot buttered pasta.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    Serving Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is best served right after combining the sauce and the pasta. The sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated before tossing with the penne just before serving. If I cook this dish an hour or so in advance, I keep the hot, buttered pasta warm by wrapping it in a blanket and mix it with the sauce at the last minute.

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight
    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight
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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta


    ★★★★★

    5 from 38 reviews

    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is so creamy and so full of flavor! Hot buttered pasta is tossed with Italian sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Pasta

    • 1 lb pasta – I used penne ((454g))
    • 1 tablespoon butter ((.5oz, 14g))

    For the Sauce:

    • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ((1.5oz, 42g))
    • 1 small onion (chopped fine)
    • 4 cloves garlic (chopped fine or put through the garlic press)
    • 1 lb sweet Italian sausage ((454g) **see note**)
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, thyme, marjoram, and oregano)
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ¾ cup chicken broth ((6.2oz, 176g))
    • 1½ cups heavy cream ((12.6oz, 357g))
    • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ((3oz, 85g))
    • 8 ounces baby spinach ((227g))
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    For the Pasta:

    1. Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and toss with butter.

    For the Sauce:

    1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until it is soft and translucent.
    2. Remove the sausage from casings and add to the pan. Cook until browned.
    3. Deglaze pan with chicken broth.
    4. Add Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and heavy cream. Let simmer on low for 10 minutes.
    5. Off the heat, slowly stir in parmesan cheese and whisk or stir until melted.
    6. Stir in baby spinach. Salt and pepper to taste.
    7. Toss with hot buttered pasta and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Notes **If your sausage doesn't contain fennel seed, toast ½ teaspoon fennel seeds in a pan until they become aromatic, then pound in a mortar and pestle and add to sausage.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta - pasta with sausage and spinach in the creamiest, garlicky parmesan sauce. Pure comfort food on the table in under 30 minutes! #pasta #recipe #easy #quick #under30minutes #easydinner #easyrecipes #sausage #creamy #weeknight #datenight

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    1. Ron

      March 12, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Kelly, this sounds yummy to me. We too are always looking for tasty, simple meals for weeknight dinners, so this one is a keeper. I'm thinking this just might do well with arugula in place of the spinach (I'm not much for spinach). Thanks for the great tutorial and fantastic images of your Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 10:29 am

        Couldn't get by without quick dinners! Arugula would be excellent in this dish. Thanks so much, Ron!

        Reply
    2. Frank Saho

      March 12, 2019 at 10:23 am

      Thanks,
      I think I will have to try this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 10:27 am

        Thanks, Dad! 🙂 Hope you like it!

        Reply
    3. angiesrecipes

      March 12, 2019 at 10:39 am

      That creamy sausage sauce looks too darn good!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 11:41 am

        Thanks so much, Angie! It really is!

        Reply
    4. 2pots2cook

      March 12, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      Everything that includes Italian sausage is perfect for us. Thank you so much Kelly !

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 11:20 pm

        It gives the whole dish amazing flavor! Thanks so much, Davorka!

        Reply
    5. Cookie Monster

      March 12, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      My family loves this Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 11:20 pm

        Thanks so much, Cookie Monster!

        Reply
    6. Healthy World Cuisine

      March 12, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      Quick, easy and delicious are always the weekday recipes we want to hear about. This week has been the longest one on record and it is only Tuesday. We are certain this will be on our menu tomorrow for sure. Be sure to follow us on instagram and use the hashtag #noodleswithoutborders for all your pasta and noodle recipes. Every 1st Tuesday of every month we feature noodles from around the world. Come and join the fun. Just pinned!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 11:24 pm

        That is one long week! 🙂 Thanks so much!

        Reply
    7. sherry

      March 12, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      this sounds really delicious kelly. love the idea of adding toasted fennel seeds to the dish. cheers sherry

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 12, 2019 at 11:25 pm

        The fennel in the Italian sausage is what gives the dish great flavor. Thanks so much, Sherry!

        Reply
    8. marcie

      March 13, 2019 at 10:45 am

      This is a dish that all of the men in my house would love! The sausage, garlic and cream are such a great combination, and I love how easy this is. This is such a beautiful dish Kelly!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 13, 2019 at 11:33 am

        Thanks so much, Marcie! It really is a wonderful dish!

        Reply
    9. John / Kitchen Riffs

      March 13, 2019 at 11:48 am

      Mmm, quick and SO good! Love sausage and a creamy gravy -- good stuff. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:37 am

        That's why it's a family favorite! Thanks so much, John!

        Reply
    10. Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl

      March 13, 2019 at 6:05 pm

      Girrrrl, you're speaking my language! I'll take creamy pasta vs red sauce pasta anyday!! It makes it so much more luxurious and rich - and this dish definitely fits the bill! So yummy! I could eat way too much of this LOL!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:37 am

        We love creamy pasta - it's so delicious! Thanks so much, Haylie!

        Reply
    11. Sabrina

      March 13, 2019 at 6:25 pm

      Yum! I love everything about this recipe, the fennel, the Parmesan, and I like Ron’s idea of arugula too as my garden grows tons of it. Thanks for this great easy recipe, perfect for family dinner 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:32 am

        When I was developing this recipe, I was actually deciding between arugula and spinach. I think the arugula would be wonderful! Thanks so much, Sabrina!

        Reply
    12. Abbe@This is How I Cook

      March 13, 2019 at 6:40 pm

      I could eat pasta every day and this is no exception! Looks great!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:30 am

        Pasta is definitely our go-to-dinner when we want something quick and delicious! Thanks so much, Abbe!

        Reply
    13. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      March 14, 2019 at 7:17 am

      This pasta dish would be a huge hit at our house Kelly. A rich creamy sauce and hearty, satisfying sausage make for one delicious meal!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:30 am

        My family loves it! Thanks so much, Mary Ann!

        Reply
    14. David @ Spiced

      March 14, 2019 at 8:18 am

      Yet again you nailed it, Kelly! This type of recipe just screams my name for dinner tonight! You know what's funny, though? I didn't used to like Italian sausage with fennel. It actually made me shy away from ever using it. But then I met Laura (she's half-Italian) and I quickly got over that Italian sausage + fennel fear. Now I love it! Bring on the plate of pasta. I'm totally pinning this one right now for later!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 6:13 am

        Ahh you must get to enjoy so much Italian food! So lucky! My family's faces brighten up when they see this pasta is for dinner. Thanks so much, David!

        Reply
    15. Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage

      March 14, 2019 at 12:35 pm

      This looks like a divine dinner! Everything I love in a meal and the flavors the sausage brings must be heavenly. Take care.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 5:35 am

        It's wonderful! That ten minutes simmering time lets all the flavors meld together. Thanks so much, Stacey!

        Reply
    16. Katerina Delidimou

      March 15, 2019 at 6:25 am

      I wanna dive right into it!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 10:29 pm

        It's delicious! Thanks so much, Katerina!

        Reply
    17. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      March 15, 2019 at 8:39 am

      This is pure comfort food and a dish I know my family wold love! It's great how quickly this comes together - perfect for a weeknight meal.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 11:12 pm

        It's so comforting and satisfying! Thanks so much, Kathy!

        Reply
    18. nicole (thespicetrain.com)

      March 15, 2019 at 10:47 am

      My mouth is watering, this pasta dish looks SO delicious, I love the crushed fennel seeds AND the bay leaf in there! It sounds amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 11:11 pm

        It really has amazing flavor! Thanks so much, Nicole!

        Reply
    19. Marissa

      March 15, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      Boy is this my kind of comfort food. Simple pasta dishes like this can be SO much more satisfying than more complicated versions. Can't wait for this to be in a bowl in front of me!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 15, 2019 at 11:10 pm

        You're so right, Marissa! I love the simplicity of this dish and the flavor is amazing. Thanks so much!

        Reply
    20. David

      March 16, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      Love the flavors you combine hear,especially adding the spinach for a little color, fiber, and taste! Definitely a keeper?

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 17, 2019 at 1:24 am

        Sneaking in those veggies! Thanks so much, David!

        Reply
    21. Eha

      March 16, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      *smile* I live on Asian stirfries during the week and this recipe can be chopped and changed similarly to bring forth a super appetizing dish ! Spinach or baby bok choi: oh yes! But for me yogurt instead od cream I never use and as many fresh herbs as I can pick from my herb garden !

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 17, 2019 at 1:22 am

        Sounds fantastic! Thanks so much, Eha!

        Reply
    22. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      March 17, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      I love a creamy pasta and this one looks so good! I have to try it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 18, 2019 at 7:03 am

        It's delicious! Thanks so much, Kelsie!

        Reply
    23. Valentina

      March 17, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      This looks so rich and delicious! I always love sausage in pasta recipes. And the pop of color for the spinach is lovely.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 18, 2019 at 7:04 am

        Trying to sneak those veggies in! Thanks so much, Valentina!

        Reply
    24. Naveen Sohail

      March 20, 2019 at 4:26 am

      This looks delicious. I am loving the recipe I am going to try this for dinner tonight.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 21, 2019 at 12:16 pm

        It's wonderful! Thanks so much, Naveen!

        Reply
    25. annie@ciaochowbambina

      March 25, 2019 at 8:00 am

      Oooooh! I'm a fan! Pasta with sausage is always a hit in our house! And I agree - fennel makes all the difference! Would love a big bowl to warm me up on this cold Monday!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 25, 2019 at 12:10 pm

        It would be perfect! It's so cozy and comforting. Thanks so much, Annie!

        Reply
    26. mjskitchen

      March 26, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      Just sitting here thinking about what I'm going to make for supper while I visit some friends. It's so nice when a friend can help out. I'm making this for supper! I have everything but spinach, but I do have Swiss chard. This looks so good that I can't wait to bite into it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 27, 2019 at 1:57 am

        Swiss chard would be wonderful in this dish. I even make it sometimes with no greens at all. It's wonderful! Thanks so much, MJ!

        Reply
        • mjskitchen

          March 31, 2019 at 9:48 pm

          Just dropped by to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed this!!!!

          Reply
          • Kelly

            April 03, 2019 at 11:38 am

            Glad you liked it! Thanks so much, MJ!

            Reply
    27. Susan

      March 26, 2019 at 6:19 pm

      This looks fabulous and very dangerous 🙂 I think I could eat the entire pan full myself! Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        March 27, 2019 at 1:55 am

        That's actually a real problem with this pasta! Portion control flies out the window. Thanks so much, Susan!

        Reply
    28. Jessica Ford

      November 07, 2019 at 11:09 am

      This was delicious! I used cheese tortellini and added a 16 oz. bag of frozen (thawed) spinach at the end. Super fast and easy to make. A definite keeper. Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        November 08, 2019 at 1:35 am

        Sounds wonderful, Jessica! It must be amazing with tortellini! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

        Reply
    29. Jessica

      April 20, 2020 at 6:11 pm

      This was super yummy! We did whole sausages and cooked them and removed from the pan and sliced. Also, used tortellini as it was what we had. The kids asked if we could eat this every night. They also ate ALL the spinach! Will make again very soon!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        April 25, 2020 at 4:34 pm

        I'm so happy you liked it, Jessica! If the kids are happy, Mom is happy!

        Reply
    30. Alexandra

      February 18, 2021 at 7:22 pm

      Just made this tonight. I sautéed some mushrooms and grape tomatoes beforehand and added them to the sauce and it was delicious!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        February 23, 2021 at 4:33 pm

        Sounds fantastic, Alexandra! So happy you liked it! Thanks so much!

        Reply
    31. Melissa

      December 15, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      Can you confirm the number of people this recipe is for as I am looking go make this for two people ?

      Reply
      • Kelly

        December 19, 2021 at 3:24 pm

        Hi Melissa, the recipe should serve about 4 people.

        Reply

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    Kelly Shaban

    Hi there! So nice to meet you! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so glad you're here! I’m Kelly, a homeschooling mother of five (and a CPA in a previous life). When I’m not teaching differential equations or Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, you’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up something good to eat for my hungry crew. Read More About Me

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