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This Italian Sausage Pasta recipe is creamy, rich, and loaded with savory flavor! It’s a hearty one-pot meal that is easy to prepare and great for a weeknight or when you’ve got a lot of hungry folks to feed.
Here’s the question of the day: Is there anything more comforting than pasta in a creamy cheese sauce? While the answer may not be a resounding YES, it is one of my top 5 comfort food combos.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a recipe you need in your life. It’s simple, comforting, and downright delicious. Trust me, your family and friends will thank you profusely for making it.
For a fresh twist on this one-pot wonder, I’ve added fresh spinach and diced tomatoes to my creamy sausage pasta recipe. It’s kind of like a big hug in the form of food, which of course, I’ll never pass up.
In This Post You’ll Find:
Ingredients Needed For This Recipe
- Italian Sausage – I like to use sweet ground sausage.
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Half and Half
- Chicken Broth
- Garlic Cloves
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Spinach
- Italian Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt
- Rigatoni Pasta
Scroll down for the ingredient measurements and full instructions.
What Type Of Sausage Is Best For This Dish?
This is where you can get creative! There are several different types of sausage that you can use. I prefer ground sweet Italian sausage. You can find it in the pork section at the meat counter in the grocery store. Here are a few other options you might want to think about:
- Spicy or hot Italian sausage
- Chicken sausage
- Breakfast pork sausage
- Chorizo – make sure to remove the sausage from its casing before cooking for this recipe.
How To Make Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
This easy-to-make recipe comes together in about 30 minutes in just one pot.
- Cook the pasta according to the box directions, drain and set aside. Drain the petite diced tomatoes.
- Cook the sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage mixture to a plate.
- Add the fresh garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
- Make the white sauce and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add in the red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, chopped tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
- Add in the sausage and onions, along with the pasta noodles. Stir, and cook on low for 5 minutes. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and a little fresh parsley, then your pasta dish is ready!
Substitutions For This Recipe
- Dairy substitutions are easy. You can use heavy cream or milk if needed.
- Use whatever kind of pasta you like. Penne, bow tie, and ziti are all excellent choices.
- Add more veggies like red bell pepper, broccoli, or asparagus for crunch and texture.
What To Serve Alongside Italian Sausage Pasta
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How Do I Reheat Creamy Pasta?
I like to reheat leftovers either in the microwave or on the stovetop. To keep the tender pasta from sticking together, add a little milk or water, stir, then heat.
5 Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Easy Baked Spaghetti
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Creamy Baked Fettuccine
- Italian Sausage Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound sweet ground Italian sausage
- 1 small chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cups Half and Half
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 14.5 ounce can petite dices tomatoes – drained
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the box directions, drain and set aside. Drain the petite diced tomatoes.
- Cook the sausage and onion in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Remove the sausage mixture to a plate then, add the fresh garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
- Make the white sauce by adding the Half and Half, chicken stock, and Parmesan cheese to the garlic. Stir and turn the heat down to low, allowing the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes, salt, Italian seasoning, chopped tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
- Add in the sausage and onions, along with the pasta noodles. Stir, and cook on low for 5 minutes. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and a little fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Comfort Food With A Twist
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