Sausage pasta is the kind of weeknight comfort food that never asks for too much yet delivers everything you want in one cozy bowl. It’s hearty, flavorful, and wonderfully simple, built on ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The magic starts with good sausage, because that’s where most of the flavor lives. Whether you use sweet Italian, spicy, or a rustic country-style sausage, it brings seasoning, richness, and depth before you even add anything else to the pan.
The base builds quickly: onions soften, garlic releases its aroma, and tomatoes melt into a rich sauce that clings beautifully to pasta. A splash of cream adds a velvety finish, mellowing the acidity of the tomatoes and turning everything into a silky, comforting coating. Every forkful offers something a little different, from tender pasta to savory bites of sausage and herbs. It’s the kind of dish that feels special without the effort of an elaborate recipe.
Sausage pasta also works with nearly any pasta shape. Short cuts like rigatoni, penne, or orecchiette capture the sauce inside their ridges and curves. Long shapes like fettuccine give you luxurious twirls coated in creamy tomato goodness. You can add extras too, depending on what you have: wilted spinach or kale for color, a handful of peas for sweetness, or roasted peppers for a smoky edge. Just before serving, Parmesan ties everything together and adds that final savory note you don’t want to skip.
This dish is perfect for evenings when you want something satisfying without fuss, but it’s also easy to dress up for guests. It reheats well, making it great for meal prep or next-day lunches. With a simple arugula green salad on the side and warm homemade bread to swipe through the sauce, dinner feels complete.
A crisp Italian white pairs beautifully, especially Pinot Grigio or Verdicchio. If you prefer red, a medium-bodied Sangiovese complements the richness without overpowering the dish. For food pairings, think garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a bright arugula salad to balance the creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 100 g pasta preferably penne or fusilli
- 2 sausages Italian or spicy as preferred
- 1 cup tomato sauce homemade or store-bought
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Slice the sausages into pieces and add them to the pan. Cook until they are browned and cooked through.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and stir to combine with the sausage and onions.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve the sausage pasta hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Really easy to make! I added some veggies like bell peppers and it turned out great! 👌
Umm, I don’t think pasta should have sausages. Seems wrong!
I followed the recipe, but my pasta was mushy. Not sure what went wrong.
Maybe you cooked the pasta too long? It’s gotta be al dente! Try again, you’ll get it right!
This was so delicious! The flavors were perfect and my family loved it!
Just okay. I expected more from a sausage dish. 😕