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Are you looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food meal? Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is a delicious and indulgent dish that combines the flavors of ground Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a rich cream sauce. This mouthwatering quick 30-minute recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or for entertaining guests. With its combination of savory sausage, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, vibrant spinach, and parmesan cheese, this recipe is set to impress.
Serve this incredibly delicious creamy Tuscan sausage pasta with a fresh salad for a satisfying Italian-style lunch or dinner.
This eggplant and sausage pasta is an Italian classic, as is pancetta and pea pasta. Also try pasta amatriciana and lasagna with pepperoni.
Why You’ll Love It
Comfort food: This spicy Italian sausage pasta recipe is hearty and incredibly satisfying.
Quick and easy: Simple to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends.
Rich and creamy: If cozy, hearty, and creamy pasta is your thing, then this is the creamy Tuscan sausage pasta recipe for you.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Rigatoni pasta: Choose quality rigatoni for its sturdy shape, perfect for holding the creamy sauce.
Ground Italian sausage: Choose a yummy beef or pork sausage blend, whether spicy or mild, to add depth to the dish.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a sweet, tangy flavor and a chewy texture that complements the sausage.
Minced garlic: Freshly minced garlic enhances the savory profile of the sauce.
Dijon mustard: Provides a subtle tanginess and helps emulsify the sauce in this Tuscan pasta with sausage.
Chicken broth: Adds a savory, umami depth and helps to thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan offers a nutty, salty finish that enriches the sauce.
Heavy whipping cream: Creates a luxurious, creamy base for the sauce.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for a classic Italian flavor.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Add a hint of spice, balancing the sauce’s creaminess.
Fresh baby spinach: Incorporate for a burst of color and a nutritious, slightly earthy flavor.
Parsley or basil to garnish: Fresh herbs provide a bright, aromatic finish to the pasta.
How to Make Tuscan Sausage Pasta
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Pasta preparation: Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
Sausage and sauce: Cook the sausage until no longer pink, then remove from the large skillet. Add olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 1 minute over medium-high heat. Stir in Dijon mustard, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer. Add heavy cream and spices, mixing well.
Finishing touches: Add baby spinach and cover with a lid. Let the spinach wilt for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked sausage and drained pasta.
Serving: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of parmesan.
Substitutions and Variations
Pasta alternatives: Try the recipe with penne pasta, fusilli, or farfalle for rigatoni. You could also use gluten-free pasta (this is a favorite!).
Sausage swaps: Use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option, or use a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
Garlic: Use garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder taste.
Chicken broth: Vegetable broth for a vegetarian option or white wine for added depth.
Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative.
Heavy whipping cream: Half & Half or whole milk for a lighter sauce or coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
Italian seasoning: Use individual herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary if you don’t have a pre-mixed seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Kick off with arancini, tuna and potato salad or antipasti bites.
Main: Serve Tuscan sausage pasta with a fresh, light salad!
Dessert: End with a tiramisu Swiss roll or a limoncello tiramisu.
How to Store Creamy Sausage Pasta
Store: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. The texture of the pasta may change slightly upon thawing.
Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or the microwave until heated, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.
Top Tips
Cook pasta al dente: To prevent the pasta from becoming too soft, cook it al dente. When mixed with the sauce, it will continue to cook slightly.
Use fresh parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and adds a richer flavor than pre-grated cheese.
Adjust spice levels: Taste the sauce before adding the crushed red pepper flakes and adjust to your preferred spice level.
Wilt spinach separately: If you prefer, wilt the spinach separately and add it to the pasta just before serving for a more vibrant color and texture.
Save pasta water: Reserve a small amount of cooking water before draining. Adding a splash of this starchy water to the sauce can help it cling to the pasta.
Garnish just before serving: Add fresh herbs and extra parmesan to maintain their flavor and texture.
Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and pasta in advance. Store them separately and combine them just before serving.
To thicken the sauce, simmer it longer to reduce and concentrate the flavors. You can also add a bit of cornstarch mixed with water.
You can substitute cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different flavor.
Tuscan Sausage Pasta Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Pound rigatoni
- 1 Pound Italian sausage, ground
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
- ½ Teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ Cup chicken broth
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 Cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 Cups baby spinach, packed
- fresh parsley, or basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Cook the sausage until no longer pink, then remove from the pan. Add the oil, sun dried tomatoes, and garlic and cook for a minute.
- Stir in the mustard, chicken broth, parmesan cheese and bring to a simmer, then stir in the cream and all the spices.
- Add the spinach and cover with a lid. Let the spinach wilt for 2 minutes, then stir in the sausage and pasta.
- Serve with parsley or basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Notes
Use fresh parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and adds a richer flavor than pre-grated cheese.
Adjust spice levels: Taste the sauce before adding the crushed red pepper flakes and adjust to your preferred spice level.
Wilt spinach separately: If you prefer, wilt the spinach separately and add it to the pasta just before serving for a more vibrant color and texture.
Save pasta water: Reserve a small amount of cooking water before draining. Adding a splash of this starchy water to the sauce can help it cling to the pasta.
Garnish just before serving: Add fresh herbs and extra parmesan to maintain their flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is a delectable and indulgent dish that melds the savory flavors of Italian sausage with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a velvety cream sauce. Ideal for a cozy night at home or entertaining guests, this mouthwatering pasta features a perfect blend of rich sausage, zesty tomatoes, vibrant greens, and parmesan cheese. It’s a recipe that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Other Pasta Recipes to Try
- Everyone’s got to try my marry-me chicken pasta at least once.
- This baked pasta pie is ultra impressive and utterly delicious.
- Make these delicious ricotta beef stuffed shells and serve them with a bright, crunchy salad.
- Try this easy-going veggie pasta recipe with all the yummy tomato-based flavors you expect from an Italian dish.
- My breakfast lasagna is a cheesy dish loaded with hashbrowns and yummy veggies.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I made this last night, and it was absolutely delicious! So creamy and flavorful.