Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights

Whipping up a mouthwatering spicy italian sausage pasta can turn an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Simmering flavors dance through this classic dish, promising an explosion of taste.

Robust ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of hearty textures.

Comfort meets excitement in every single bite of this remarkable meal.

Rich tomato sauce coats perfectly al dente noodles, while zesty sausage adds a delightful kick.

Fragrant herbs and spices elevate the entire experience beyond simple cooking.

Savor each delectable forkful and let your taste buds celebrate this incredible recipe.

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Standout Details

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this delicious pasta in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families needing a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with spicy Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and creamy texture, this dish delivers restaurant-quality taste right at home with minimal effort.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adjust heat levels by controlling red pepper flakes, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables to make this recipe truly your own personal culinary creation.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup with a single pan cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal everyone will love, from picky kids to adventurous eaters.

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Ingredients

• Spicy Italian Sausage: Bold, flavorful meat that adds a kick to the pasta dish, best when freshly removed from casings for maximum flavor.

• Penne Pasta: Classic tubular pasta shape that catches sauce perfectly, ideal for holding creamy and chunky sauces.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that provide depth and complexity to the sauce, white onions offer sharper taste while garlic adds robust aroma.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create rich, tangy base for the sauce, canned tomatoes provide convenient moisture and texture.
• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Creamy elements that smooth out the sauce and add luxurious consistency, pasta water can substitute for broth.

• Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Red Pepper Flakes: Classic Italian herb blend that brings authentic Mediterranean flavor, red pepper flakes add optional heat.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste profile.

• Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Basil/Parsley: Final touch that adds fresh, bright notes and classic Italian presentation, cheese provides salty richness.

How to Make Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Boil Perfect Pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Before draining, carefully set aside some pasta water for later use.

Step 2: Brown Delicious Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Crumble Italian sausage and cook until beautifully browned.

Transfer sausage to a separate plate and keep warm.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

In the same skillet, sauté onions until they become soft and translucent.

Add garlic and cook until its fragrance fills the kitchen.

Step 4: Build Rich Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to blend and develop.

Step 5: Enrich with Cream

Stir in heavy cream and return the cooked sausage to the skillet.

Let everything simmer for 2-3 minutes, creating a luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Combine and Season

Add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to ensure every strand is coated with the spicy, creamy sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley on top.

Serve immediately while hot and steaming.

Insider Tips for Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta With Bold Flavor

• Save the starchy cooking liquid to help sauce cling perfectly to noodles and create a silky, smooth texture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance – start with less and gradually increase for personalized flavor.
• Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust seasonings to elevate the overall dish's taste and complexity.
• Add heavy cream slowly and stir continuously to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce consistency.
• Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides richer flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.

Store Spicy Sausage Pasta And Reheat Cleanly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Gently warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Spicy Pairings for Italian Sausage Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the spicy sausage and cuts through the creamy sauce, enhancing the dish's rich Italian flavors.
• Create a Fresh Herb Salad: Toss mixed greens with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's richness and provide a crisp, refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, toasted Italian bread brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture to the meal.
• Complement with Citrus-Infused Water: Prepare a light, refreshing drink with sliced lemons, oranges, and fresh mint to cleanse the palate and cut through the dish's spiciness.

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta with Sauce and Cheese Ideas

• Vegetarian Zucchini Pasta: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted zucchini chunks for a lighter, meat-free version. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute pasta with riced cauliflower or spiralized zucchini noodles. Reduce sauce quantity to prevent watery consistency.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a similar savory flavor profile.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best for this recipe?

Spicy Italian sausage is ideal, but you can use mild Italian sausage if you prefer less heat. Remove the casings before cooking to create a better texture and distribution throughout the sauce.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so the recipe remains very similar.

• How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?

To thicken the sauce, let it simmer longer or add a bit more tomato paste. If it’s too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water or chicken broth to thin it out.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a moderate spice level from red pepper flakes and Italian sausage. You can reduce or eliminate red pepper flakes for a milder version, or add more for extra heat.

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy, zesty Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in one skillet with perfectly balanced heat. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a comforting meal that brings Italian restaurant excitement directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (1 lb) spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 12 ounces (12 oz) penne pasta

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste

Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or pasta water
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
• Fresh basil or parsley (chopped, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta in boiling water according to package guidelines, carefully setting aside a portion of the starchy cooking liquid before straining.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate temperature, then introduce the Italian sausage, methodically breaking it into small fragments while cooking until it develops a rich, golden-brown exterior.
3. Transfer the browned sausage to a separate plate, maintaining the flavorful remnants in the skillet.
4. In the same pan, gently sauté chopped onions until they become translucent and soft, then introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence.
5. Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried oregano, fresh basil, and fiery red pepper flakes into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld together for approximately 5-7 minutes.
6. Pour in heavy cream and reintroduce the previously cooked sausage, letting the sauce combine and reduce for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Introduce the drained pasta directly into the skillet, carefully tossing to ensure each strand is generously coated with the robust sauce.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
9. Finish the dish by generously sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese and scattering fresh basil or parsley on top, creating a vibrant and appetizing presentation.
10. Serve immediately while the pasta is piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

• Reserve pasta water carefully to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
• Use fresh Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth and authentic taste profile.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization for mild or intense heat preferences.
• Consider substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for lighter, lower-calorie versions without sacrificing creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg