Italian Sausage Pasta

by Taylor October 11, 2024

A simple one pot Italian sausage pasta is satisfying and comforting; perfect for a chilly night! Sausage, pasta, and cheese are the main ingredients in this dish and come together to create an easy, delicious meal.

I don’t think there is anything better than a one pot meal! Like my Taco Rice Casserole, Everything is cooked all in one place, which gives the dish a beautiful depth of flavor. This recipe is simple and includes yummy Italian sausage, rotini pasta, and tangy Parmesan cheese. This is one of my favorite dishes to make on a busy night because I can have it prepped and ready to go in less than 30 minutes. The pasta is rich, flavorful, savory, and filling; and can be served on its own or with a simple side dish. With how easy this one pot Italian sausage pasta is to throw together and how flavorful it is, the whole family is sure to fall in love with it!

Reasons We Love This Recipe

The pasta has a wonderful savory and comforting flavor.
Everything is cooked in one-pot for less hassle and clean up.
You can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, perfect for a busy night.

Ingredient Notes

Italian sausage links— Pick what you like, anywhere from mild to spicy!
Tomato paste— For a strong flavor and thick sauce.
Tomato sauce— To add a deep flavor to the overall dish!
Chicken broth— To cook the noodles and add a savory taste.
Heavy cream— This will help create a creamy, thick sauce.
Garlic— Minced. To add a deep, pungent flavor!
Italian seasoning— To add an earthy, savory flavor.
Rotini pasta— Uncooked. Any kind of pasta will work!
Parmesan cheese— For a bright, cheesy flavor.

italian sausage ingredients: Italian sausage, garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chicken broth, heavy cream, seasoning, pasta, parmesan cheese

How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta

Remove the sausage from the casing and add it to a large skillet over medium heat.
Use a spatula to break up the sausage as it cooks.

Stir in the garlic and continue to cook. Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cream.

Add the uncooked pasta and cover your skillet with a lid. Reduce the heat and allow the noodles to cook.

mixing in pasta to italian sausage pasta pot

Turn off the burner and add the Parmesan cheese.

Serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tomato paste and tomato sauce?

Tomato paste and tomato sauce both have a base of tomatoes, but their overall ingredients, consistency, and purpose are different. Tomato paste is thick and contains concentrated tomatoes. The flavor is very bold and needs to be combined with other ingredients in order to be enjoyed. Tomato sauce has a much thinner consistency and is made with fresh tomatoes combined with water, as well as other seasonings. You can use it as a sauce on its own. In this recipe, the tomato paste helps thicken the dish and amplifies the tomato flavor, so it is important to use both tomato paste and tomato sauce for the proper consistency and taste!

What kind of noodles should I use?

It is totally up to you! You can use any shape of pasta in this recipe. We typically use a hearty pasta that has a shorter and thicker shape. Some of our go-to noodle shapes for this dish are penne, rigatoni, or cavatappi. You can also use elbow pasta, bowtie, or shells. I suggest avoiding longer thinner noodles like spaghetti or angel hair for this recipe because they can be harder to stir and stick together while cooking.

How can I thicken my sauce?

The sauce in this recipe should be thick enough to coat the noodles and sausage, but not so thick that it is hard to stir. Cooking the dish on a simmer will allow the sauce to thicken. The sauce will also thicken as you add the noodles to your dish because they will soak up some of the moisture as they cook. If you want the sauce to be a little bit thicker, you can continue cooking it for a few minutes after the noodles are fully cooked. Keep the burner on medium heat and stir constantly until it reaches your desired thickness. It is important to keep in mind that it will thicken as it cools.

How to Serve and Store One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta

This Italian sausage pasta is quite filling on its own! There are a variety of sides that complement the dish well including roasted green beans or potatoes, Caesar salad, or fresh fruit. You can also add garlic breadsticks or dinner rolls to complete the meal. For a nice complete look and taste, we like to garnish our pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or freshly chopped Italian parsley!

Leftover pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. Be sure to allow the pasta to come to room temperature before placing it in the fridge. To reheat, place a bowl of pasta in the microwave for one minute, stirring halfway through. Because it will be a little bit thicker as you reheat it, you can also add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth before placing it in the microwave to prevent it from becoming dry!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Be sure to turn off the heat before you add the cheese. The residual heat from the burner will melt the cheese just fine.
If you want a little less sausage in each serving, you can either half the amount of sausage you use, or double the amount of pasta!
This recipe is the perfect dish for meal prepping because it stays fresh in the fridge and is hearty and satisfying.
Make sure to use uncooked pasta for this recipe! The chicken broth and tomato sauce will cook it perfectly and add an amazing depth of flavor.

Italian sausage pasta in bowl with spoon and greens

Sausage is such a great source of protein! Check out some of my other recipes that include it: Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Stuffing with Sausage

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