Description
This One-Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish that combines savory Italian sausage with a rich, creamy sauce and tender pasta, all cooked together in one pot for an easy cleanup. Ready in about 30 minutes, it strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and light, making it an ideal weeknight dinner packed with hearty goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work best)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup spinach or kale
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- Mushrooms or bell peppers
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns evenly. Drain excess grease if necessary to prevent the dish from becoming too oily.
- Cook onions and garlic: Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine all ingredients thoroughly in the pot.
- Add pasta and seasonings: Add the dry pasta along with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir everything so the pasta is evenly distributed and coated with liquid and seasonings.
- Simmer until pasta is cooked: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Add greens: Fold in spinach or kale if using, allowing it to wilt naturally in the heat of the pasta and sauce.
- Final seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as necessary with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- For a richer flavor, add a knob of butter at the end before serving.
- Leftovers reheat well—simply warm with a bit of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
- Customize with add-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra texture and flavor.
- To make it spicy Cajun style, substitute Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning.
