Name: Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground Italian sausage; 1 lb. penne pasta; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced; 3–4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups)

If you're craving a dish that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes, this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is a total game-changer. Comfort food meets speed and flavor—perfect for weeknights when you want something hearty without fuss.

Creamy Sausage Pasta - A large silver pan filled with creamy pasta made of light yellow penne noodles mixed evenly with small pieces of cooked ground meat and green spinach leaves, all coated in a smooth cream sauce. The dish is sprinkled with small green herb bits and cracks of black pepper. A wooden spoon rests on the pasta, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface next to a striped cloth and a small white bowl with colored peppercorns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I fell in love with this creamy sausage pasta the first time I whipped it up after a long day. It’s rich and comforting but still vibrant thanks to fresh spinach and a hint of garlic. Once you try it, you’ll see why it quickly became a regular in my kitchen.

Fast to Prepare: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes—no compromise on flavor or texture.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The savory Italian sausage brings boldness, while the creamy sauce keeps things silky and luscious.
Customizable and Versatile: You can swap spinach for other veggies or spice it up with red pepper flakes depending on your mood.
Family Friendly: It hits the spot for adults and kids alike—comfort food that satisfies everyone.

Creamy Sausage Pasta - A white plate holds a serving of penne pasta mixed with small pieces of browned sausage and fresh green spinach leaves, all coated in a creamy white sauce with specks of black pepper and chopped herbs sprinkled on top. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. In the background, there is another white plate with plain penne pasta slightly out of focus, and a small white bowl filled with mixed peppercorns. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth napkin on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe lies in the harmony of its ingredients. Italian sausage brings seasoning and meatiness, while creamy dairy and Parmesan add richness and depth. Plus, spinach adds freshness and color. Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients and why I love using them:

Creamy Sausage Pasta - Flat lay of fresh Italian ground sausage with a rich marbled texture, uncooked penne pasta in a pale golden hue, a small mound of bright green baby spinach leaves with delicate veins, a bunch of plump garlic cloves with papery white skins, half a yellow onion finely minced showing its pale yellow layers, a generous pile of grated Parmesan cheese in fine snowy white flakes, and a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs in mixed green and brown tones, all carefully spread out and naturally overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ground Italian sausage: It’s packed with herbs and spices that make extra seasoning almost unnecessary—just perfect for this pasta.
Penne pasta: Its tubular shape traps the creamy sauce beautifully, delivering flavor in every bite.
Butter: Used to soften the onions and create a silky base for the sauce, butter adds subtle richness.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and aroma; finely minced to blend seamlessly into the sauce.
Garlic: Provides that classic warmth and pungency, enhancing the overall flavor.
Heavy cream: The secret to that luscious, velvety texture—we don’t skimp here.
Chicken broth or dry white wine: I love using wine for deglazing because it lifts all those delicious browned bits off the pan, creating depth.
Italian seasoning: A handy blend that boosts herbal notes perfectly.
Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for nutty, salty goodness that ties everything together.
Fresh baby spinach: Adds color, a mild earthiness, and an easy way to sneak in some greens.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love meal flexibility, so I’ve played around with this creamy sausage pasta recipe a lot. It’s so forgiving—you can easily make it your own based on what you have or your mood.

Variation: Sometimes I swap baby spinach for sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for an earthier or tangier twist. It’s great either way!
Dietary modification: For a lighter version, I’ve used half-and-half instead of heavy cream and it’s still creamy without being heavy.
Add some heat: A sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce gives this a nice kick if you like spicy.
Extra cheesy: When I want to indulge, I stir in extra Parmesan or even freshly shredded mozzarella for gooey goodness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the pasta to perfection

Start by boiling the penne in salted water just until al dente—that means it should still have a little bite because it will cook a bit more when mixed with the sauce. Overcooked pasta here can get mushy, which we want to avoid. Drain and set it aside while you work on the sauce.

Step 2: Brown the sausage just right

In a large skillet over medium heat, break up the ground Italian sausage and cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Be sure to break it up well to get those flavorful crumbles. Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and drain any excess grease from the pan—too much oil can make the sauce heavy.

Step 3: Build the base of the sauce

Using the same pan, melt butter and sauté the minced onion until translucent and soft—this usually takes around 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just enough to release that amazing aroma without burning it. Then toss the sausage back into the pan.

Step 4: Deglaze and create the creamy sauce

Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan. This step is like magic—scrape up all those browned bits stuck to the pan because that’s concentrated flavor! Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce come to a gentle boil while stirring frequently.

Step 5: Add cheese and greens

Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and thickens the sauce to a luscious, creamy consistency—watch for it to coat the back of a spoon. Then add the fresh baby spinach; it will wilt quickly and add a vibrant touch of green along with a mild hint of freshness and earthiness.

Step 6: Toss and serve

Finally, add the drained pasta back into the pan and toss everything together until each piece is coated with that dreamy sauce. Serve it up hot—this dish is best enjoyed fresh!

Top Tip

From my experience making this creamy sausage pasta recipe over and over, a few little tricks have made all the difference in getting that perfect balance of creaminess and flavor.

Don’t skip deglazing: Using chicken broth or wine to scrape up those brown bits adds incredible depth to the sauce—never skip it, even if you're short on time.
Control the cream: If you want a lighter sauce, use a mix of milk and cream—but keep at least some heavy cream for texture.
Add cheese off heat: Stir in the Parmesan once the sauce’s heat is lowered to avoid graininess and get that smooth melt.
Fresh greens last: Toss fresh spinach in right at the end to keep it tender and bright, not mushy.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Creamy Sausage Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love sprinkling a little extra freshly grated Parmesan on top along with a handful of chopped fresh parsley for color and brightness. A crack of black pepper right before serving amps up the flavor, too. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of good quality olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice adds a lovely finishing touch.

Side Dishes

This creamy sausage pasta pairs beautifully with simple green salads, like mixed greens with a balsamic vinaigrette, or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette are my go-to for soaking up any leftover sauce—you really don’t want to waste a drop!

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m serving this for a small dinner party, I like to plate individual portions in shallow bowls with a little extra sprinkle of cheese and herbs. For a cozy family meal, I serve it straight from the skillet on the table with bread baskets and salad bowls for a casual, comforting vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so before reheating I like to stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up and bring back that creamy texture.

Freezing

Freezing creamy pasta dishes can be a bit tricky because cream sauces sometimes separate. I’ve had the best results freezing only the cooked sausage mixture without the pasta and cream, then assembling fresh when ready. If you freeze the whole dish, thaw slowly in the fridge and reheat gently while stirring to bring it back together.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently and adding a teaspoon or two of broth or milk to revive the sauce’s creaminess. Microwaving works in a pinch, but do it in short bursts to avoid overcooking and checking in between.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sausage for this creamy sausage pasta recipe?

Absolutely! While Italian sausage is my favorite because of its bold flavors, you can substitute with breakfast sausage, chorizo, or even turkey sausage if you want something lighter. Just adjust your seasoning accordingly since different sausages vary in spice levels.

What’s the best way to prevent the cream sauce from breaking?

The key is to keep the sauce at a low simmer rather than a rapid boil. Also, adding the Parmesan cheese off the heat or on very low heat helps it melt smoothly without clumping. If the sauce looks like it’s separating, whisking in a bit of cold heavy cream can help bring it back together.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

It’s a bit of a challenge because heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are essential for the classic creamy texture and flavor. You can experiment with coconut milk or cashew cream and vegan cheese alternatives, but the flavor will be different. For a quick swap, try using dairy-free cream and nutritional yeast, though the sausage flavor might need adjustment with spices or plant-based sausage.

What pasta works best for this creamy sausage pasta recipe?

I personally like penne because its shape holds onto the creamy sauce so well, but you can also use rigatoni, fusilli, or even farfalle for some fun texture. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn't get too soft when combined with the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This creamy sausage pasta recipe isn’t just another meal — it’s that little moment of comfort and joy on a plate. I hope you enjoy making and tweaking it as much as I do, turning it into your own quick weeknight champion. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite pasta dinner too!