Creamy Sausage Pasta is made with Italian sausage, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmesan, and fresh basil tossed with pasta for a rich and flavorful dinner.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This is one of those dinners that feels like it took all day to make but is secretly the easiest thing to throw together. You’ve got savory sausage, a simple tomato base, and just enough cream and Parmesan to make everything rich without being too heavy. It tastes like its been simmering all day but really comes together in no time at all.

I love this recipe because it hits that perfect balance between cozy and fresh. The cream smooths everything out, the Parmesan adds that salty bite, and the basil at the end keeps it from feeling too rich. It’s simple, reliable, and always a hit at my house!

Ingredients

This is everything you’ll need to make this incredible dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Italian Sausage – Bold, savory flavor and richness (the main flavor base)
Olive Oil – Helps brown the sausage and build flavor
Onion – Sweetness and depth as it cooks down
Garlic – Classic savory backbone
Tomato Paste- Adds lots of rich, condensed tomato flavor.
Crushed Tomatoes – Body and a slightly tangy base for the sauce
Heavy Cream – Creaminess that balances the acidity of the tomatoes
Parmesan Cheese – Salty, nutty richness that thickens the sauce slightly
Fresh Basil – Bright, fresh finish that lightens the dish
Salt – Enhances all the flavors
Black Pepper – Adds mild heat
Garlic Powder – Boosts the garlic flavor
Italian Seasoning – Adds herby depth and warmth
Mezzi Rigatoni- The perfect size and shape to absorb the sauce and hold onto that sausage.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this delicious pasta. You can find the full recipe ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

First, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant then stir in the tomato paste for an additional 2 minutes.

cooked sausage in a skillet with onion and garlic

Now, pour in the crushed tomatoes season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the fresh basil.

PRO TIP: Don’t rush the simmer! That 20 minutes deepens the flavor and thickens the sauce.

Finally, toss with cooked pasta until fully coated and enjoy!

cooked rigatoni pasta tossed in sausage sauce

Can I Use A Different Sausage?

Yes, you can. Mild, hot, or even turkey sausage all work well here.

What Can I Serve This With?

I would keep the sides simple here and serve this with some homemade Italian Garlic Bread and a salad.

Storage

Let the pasta cool completely and place it into an air tight storage container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days.