Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

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This spicy Italian sausage pasta is everything you need in your recipe. It’s creamy and comfortable, packed with rich flavors of sausage, garlic and Parmesan cheese. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few simple steps, this dish quickly comes together and makes the perfect weekday dinner.

Why do you like this spicy Italian sausage pasta?

This spicy Italian sausage pasta is a great dish for so many reasons. It’s almost a one skillet wonder (aside from boiling the pasta). This means that cleanup is minimal. The creamy sauce seasoned with brown butter, garlic and Parmesan cheese, clings beautifully to the pasta for a luscious bite each time. A spicy kick from the sausage balances the richness, while the option to garnish with fresh basil or parsley adds a fresh touch. Whether you’re cooking for the crowd or preparing a week’s meal, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit on busy weekday nights!

Ingredients for spicy Italian sausage pasta

Here’s what you need to make this spicy Italian sausage pasta:

Pappardel Pasta: The wide noodles hold the sauce well, but penne pasta and rigatoni pasta also work. Spicy Italian Sausage Link: Adds heat and rich flavor, but can be replaced with mild Italian sausages or sweet Italian sausages if desired. Garlic: Grated to make the biggest flavor. Butter: Helps to create a golden brown base for sauce. Heavy Cream: Enrich the sauce like velvet. Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: Add a salty nut kick to the sauce. Salt & Black Pepper: Perfectly season your plate. Fresh Parsley (Optional): Sprinkle on top for a pop of colour and freshness.

Variations

With these simple swaps and additions, you’ll make this recipe your own:

Add Vegetables: Sweet peppers, canned tomatoes, or spinach are great for extra colour and nutrition. Switch protein: Use mild Italian sausages or sweet Italian sausages (or even chicken sausages!). Pasta Switching: Penne pasta, Rigatoni pasta, or Fettchin are all great options. Lightly make: Replace the heavy cream in half and half, or add chicken or pasta water to thin the sauce. Go to the tomato base: Put in tomato paste or tomato sauce and prepare a hearty red sauce version. Herbs and Spices: Add fennel seeds, fresh basil, or crushed red chili flakes to deepen even more.

How to Make Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

For more information about the complete recipes that include measuring ingredients, see the printable recipe cards at the bottom of this post. Here are my step-by-step instructions to make this creamy Italian sausage pasta:

1. Cook the pasta

Bring a large amount of water (salted water) to bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and stir. Cook and drain to al dente according to the package instructions.

2. Cook the sausage

Remove the sausage from the casing and brown in a large frying pan over medium heat. Transfer to the plate.

3. Make the sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until golden brown. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant.

4. Combine the ingredients

Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese and cooked sausages and stir. Throw it with pasta and season it with salt and black pepper.

Pro tip: Taste the seasonings before adding salt, because many sausages already have a lot of saltiness.

5. Serve!

Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh parsley or extra parmesan cheese if necessary.

What to serve with spicy Italian sausage pasta

Combine this rich, flavorful pasta with aspects that complement its creamy and spicy properties. Here are some ideas:

Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking creamy sauces. Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the dish. Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli roasted with asparagus, zucchini or olive oil and black pepper makes a great side. Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil drizzles with balsamic glaze, adding a bright, fresh flavour. Antipasto Platter: Offers a selection of cured meat, olives and marinated artichokes as starters.

Storage + Go beyond pasta

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Gently reheat over medium heat, add a small amount of chicken or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently reheat in a splash of chicken soup or heavy cream.

To proceed: Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta separately. Just before serving, reheat it by mixing it with the pasta water or a cream splash.

Try more Alfredo pasta dishes!

This spicy Italian sausage pasta is something the whole family loves and is everything they need on a busy weekday night. Its bold flavours, creamy sauces and endless variations make it a pasta dish you’ll want to make over and over again. Try it tonight and tell me how you customized it! Printable recipe cards can be found below! Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you are creating this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you could give me a star rating and leave a review in the comments! If you have a photo of the finished dish, please post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tag it with @laurens_latest.