Skip the store-bought sauce and experience real flavor with this easy weeknight dinner winner! This Creamy Pasta with Sausage is packed with savory goodness. Featuring tender pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, sweet peppers, and a creamy white sauce, it's a flavorful and satisfying dish the whole family will love.Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.
Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to al dente package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
Meanwhile, Sauté Vegetables: In a large, deep skillet heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. When oil shimmers, add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are almost softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Italian Sausage: Increase heat to medium-high. Add the sausage to the pan along with the Italian seasoning. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Cook, breaking the sausage up into large crumbles as you go, for about 4-6 minutes, or until sausage is almost browned. Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add Flour, Then Deglaze Pan: Sprinkle the flour over sausage and stir well. Cook 1-2 minute to remove raw flour taste. Add the wine (or 1/3 cup broth) to deglaze the pan. Stir well, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the liquid is almost completely absorbed.
Add Liquids and Simmer Sausage Cream Sauce: Stir in the broth and then add the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally. Once simmering, immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced and slightly thickened.
Add Cooked Pasta: Stir in the cooked pasta noodles and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 1 minute.
Add Parmesan Cheese: Turn off the heat and the parmesan cheese a handful at a time, stirring before adding another handful of cheese. Once the cheese is all added, stir the sausage pasta until the parmesan is fully melted and incorporated.
Serve Creamy Sausage Pasta: Taste and adjust the sausage cream pasta for seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and top with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve immediately and enjoy while warm.
Notes
Pasta: You can use any variety of small dry pasta you have on hand! Try using macaroni, fusilli, gemelli or orecchiette!
Sausage: I personally used ground spicy Italian sausage; however, you can use your favorite type of sausage depending on personal preference! Make sure you use ‘loose’ or ground sausage. If you purchase sausage links, be sure to remove the sausages from their casings before proceeding with the recipe. For a full list of varieties of sausage you can use, please see details in the post.
Recipe Serves: 4-6 peopleNutritional information is an approximation based upon 6 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.