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; 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced; 3–4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 oz. fresh baby spinach, tightly packed (about 3 cups); 2 tablespoons butter; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste

If you’re craving a dish that’s both comforting and full of flavor, this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero. Rich, cheesy, and satisfying, it comes together in under 30 minutes and always leaves everyone asking for seconds. Let me walk you through how to make this classic with some of my favorite little twists.

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’ve made this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe so many times that it feels like comfort food therapy. It’s simple, reliable, and so indulgent in the best way. Plus, it’s versatile enough to suit all kinds of tastes—and that’s why it’s a kitchen staple at my house.

Speedy & Simple: Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy evenings without sacrificing flavor.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: The blend of heavy cream, Parmesan, and sausage makes a sauce you’ll want to savor.
Customizable: You can swap the spinach or add extra heat to tailor it for your crew.
Family Pleaser: My loved ones beg me to make this, and it almost always disappears fast!

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

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe hits all the right notes because each ingredient does its part perfectly. The savory, juicy sausage provides robust flavor, while the cream and Parmesan create a velvety sauce that clings to every piece of pasta. And trust me, those fresh baby spinach leaves add a beautiful pop of color and subtle earthiness that rounds it all out.

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: Use sweet or spicy depending on your preference; it brings bold flavor and a meaty richness.
Penne pasta: The ridges and tube shape catch the sauce perfectly—don’t swap for a much thinner pasta if you want that coating effect.
Butter: Adds silkiness when sautéing onions and garlic, building the sauce’s depth from the start.
Yellow onion: Provides a sweet base flavor—don’t rush this step; let it soften until translucent.
Garlic: Just enough to enrich sauce without overpowering; freshly minced is best.
Heavy cream: The star of the sauce, giving that dreamy, luscious texture.
Chicken broth or dry white wine: Either works great to deglaze and add a subtle complexity; I personally love wine for some brightness.
Italian seasoning: A simple herb mix that ties all flavors together.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing every element.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated melts smoothly and brings that sharp, nutty flavor.
Fresh baby spinach: Adds color, texture, and a mild, fresh note; toss in right at the end.

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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 sharing this recipe because it’s a total canvas—you can tweak it easily to suit your mood or what’s in your fridge. Sometimes I swap out spinach for mushrooms or peas when I want a different veggie vibe.

Variation: One time, I added sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet tangy twist that blew my family away. Adding red pepper flakes is my go-to when I want a little kick without too much heat.
Dietary switches: For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or use turkey sausage for less fat.

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

Step 1: Cook the pasta just right

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your penne until just al dente—this means it should still have a little bite because it’ll cook a bit more once tossed with the sauce. Drain it well and set aside. Overcooked pasta can get mushy fast, so keep an eye on the timer!

Step 2: Brown the sausage beautifully

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with your spatula. Cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Then scoop it out and drain any excess fat. This step builds so much flavor—don’t rush it or skip draining the grease or your sauce might get oily.

Step 3: Sauté onions and garlic for flavor

In the same pan, melt your butter and toss in the minced onions. Sauté until they’re soft and translucent—about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic last and cook just about 30 seconds until fragrant; garlic burns quickly and turns bitter, so watch this closely.

Step 4: Pour in liquids to deglaze and build the sauce

Add your white wine or chicken broth to the pan to deglaze it, scraping off all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom. Those bits are flavor gold! Then reduce heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream.

Step 5: Season and melt the cheese

Season your sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then bring it to a gentle boil. Mix in the Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts smoothly into that luscious cream. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon—that's your sign that it's perfect.

Step 6: Add spinach and pasta, then serve

Toss in fresh baby spinach and stir just until it wilts—this keeps the color bright and the taste fresh. Finally, add your cooked pasta to the pan and toss everything together so every piece is luxuriously coated. Serve immediately and watch it disappear!

Top Tip

Having made this recipe hundreds of times, I’ve learned that a few small tricks really make the difference between good and great creamy sausage pasta.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking pasta al dente ensures it doesn’t turn mushy when combined with the sauce.
Drain Excess Fat: After browning the sausage, always drain the grease so your sauce stays creamy, not oily.
Freshly Grate Cheese: Pre-grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that affect melting; fresh grated cheese makes the sauce silky smooth.
Use Low Heat for Cream Sauce: Simmer the cream gently to prevent it from breaking or curdling, keeping that luscious texture.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe

Creamy Sausage Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is always a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a fresh bite and vibrant color, plus a little extra Parmesan on top—because who doesn’t want more cheesy goodness? For a bit of zing, some cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes tossed on at the end really wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to balance all the richness. Garlic bread or toasted baguette slices are my family’s favorite—the crunch is the perfect contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this pasta in small individual cast-iron skillets—it keeps it warm and looks super inviting. I also sometimes add a drizzle of truffle oil or a few sun-dried tomatoes on top for extra flair and layered flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the sauce thickens as it cools, I like to add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to bring it back to that creamy texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes fairly well if you want to stash some for busy nights. Freeze in portioned containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove with a little extra cream or broth stirred in to loosen the sauce.

Reheating

When reheating, low and slow is your friend. I prefer warming it in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, and adding a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce luscious and avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sausage in this Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! You can swap out the Italian sausage for chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian twist—just adjust cooking times accordingly.

What’s the best pasta to use for this recipe?

Penne works wonderfully because its shape holds the creamy sauce beautifully, but you can also use rigatoni, fusilli, or even fettuccine any time you like as long as it’s sturdy enough to carry the sauce.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! To make a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or full-fat canned coconut milk and use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast to add savory flavor.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from separating?

Keep your heat on medium-low when adding and simmering the cream. Avoid boiling vigorously, and make sure to stir often. Adding the cheese gradually and gently also helps the sauce stay smooth and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it’s like a warm hug on a plate—simple but decadent, and always satisfying. I love sharing it with friends who go, “Wow, that’s easy but tastes like you slaved over it all day.” Give it a try, and I hope it becomes your go-to comfort dish just as it did mine.