35-Minute Creamy Sausage Pasta Joy

When the workday drains you and you’re staring into the fridge wondering how you’ll pull off dinner without ordering takeout again? I totally get it. That feeling used to send me straight to the frozen aisle, but now? Now I run straight to my skillet for this One-Pot Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s my secret weapon for getting incredible, soul-satisfying food on the table in under 35 minutes. If you’re like me and believe that incredible food shouldn’t be complicated, this rich and savory sausage pasta is your answer to busy weeknights. Finding joy in that fast, flavorful creation is what Pure Cooking Joy is all about!

Why This One-Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta Is Your New Weeknight Hero

If you’re tired of dishes that require four separate pans just to make dinner, you’re going to love this. This recipe proves that you don’t have to sacrifice rich, restaurant-quality flavor just because you’re short on time. It’s genuinely the best kind of weeknight rescue.

What makes this particular sausage pasta so special? It hits that perfect sweet spot everyone seems to be searching for:

Speed and Simplicity: A True 30 Minute Sausage Pasta Dinner

We are talking about total time around 35 minutes, which means this is absolutely a 30 Minute Sausage Pasta Dinner. Because everything cooks right in that one deep skillet, the flavors meld together beautifully while you’re just hanging out nearby. No complicated layering or extra pots boiling over!

SAVE

Maximum Flavor, Minimal Cleanup for Your Sausage Pasta

That beautiful, velvety cream sauce? It develops right on the bottom of the pan as the starchy pasta cooks, thickening naturally with the Parmesan. You get that luscious, cheesy texture that tastes like it simmered for an hour, but cleanup is just that single skillet and a few measuring cups. Trust me, my sink thanks me every time I make this!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

Okay, this is the fun part where we pull everything out because the beauty of this recipe is that it relies on pantry staples and one star ingredient. You’ll be shocked how little actual cooking prep is required before we start building that creamy sauce!

For this version of our quick sausage pasta, we are leaning into smoked sausage for that smoky depth. Don’t worry if you don’t have smoked sausage on hand; we can totally pivot!

• One pound of smoked sausage, which needs to be sliced into appealing little rounds.
• One pound of pasta. I usually love rigatoni or penne here because those shapes grab onto the sauce so well.
• One tablespoon of olive oil—just a drizzle to get things going.
• One small onion, which you’ll want to get nicely chopped up.
• Three cloves of garlic, minced super fine—don’t skimp on the garlic!
• One 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes, and keep that juice! It’s liquid gold for the sauce base.
• Three cups of chicken broth.
• One full cup of heavy cream for that amazing velvety texture we’re aiming for.
• One cup of shredded Parmesan cheese—the real stuff, if you can manage it.
• Two generous cups of fresh spinach.
• One teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
• Salt and pepper, obviously, to taste everything at the end.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Perfect Sausage Pasta

If you didn’t grab smoked sausage, don’t panic! This recipe is extremely forgiving. You can swap it out with ground Italian sausage—just make sure you break it up really well when you brown it, which is half the fun. Or, if you’re craving some heat, use Andouille sausage for a little kick! That’s how we mix up this Sausage Pasta Recipe on a Tuesday versus a Friday night. Since we are using a sturdy shape like rigatoni or penne, any short shape you have works great, too. Just keep an eye on the simmer time if you use something thinner!

If you want to explore other fantastic ways to pair sausage with pasta, you absolutely have to check out my recipe for Potato and Sausage Chowder—it uses similar smoky notes but in a completely different way!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the One Pot Sausage Pasta

Alright, this is where the magic really happens! Because we are making this a true one pot sausage pasta, you get to watch the sauce build right around the pasta as it cooks. It’s satisfying, and frankly, it saves an arm and a leg on dishes, which I definitely appreciate after a long day. Follow these steps closely, especially regarding the simmering time, and you’ll have the creamiest dish you didn’t think was possible in one skillet.

Browning the Sausage and Sautéing Aromatics

First things first, grab your biggest, deepest skillet or a Dutch oven. Set it over medium heat and add that tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in your sliced smoked sausage and let it happily brown a bit, which should take about 4 minutes. That browning releases all those amazing fats and flavors—don’t pour them out! Scoop the sausage out and set it on a plate for later. Now, toss in your chopped onion into that same skillet; let it soften for about 3 minutes. Hit it with the minced garlic and cook only for about a minute until you can really smell it. You don’t want that garlic to burn!

The One-Pot Simmer: Cooking the Dry Pasta

Ready for the best part of any sausage pasta recipe? Add the uncooked, dry pasta—no boiling water needed! Next, pour in those diced tomatoes (juice and all!) and your three cups of chicken broth. Give it a good stir, bring that mixture up to a boil, and then immediately drop the heat down to medium-low. Cover it up and let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Seriously, stir it every few minutes! This is your insurance policy against starchy, stuck-on-the-bottom messes.

SAVE

Achieving the Creamy Finish in Your Easy Italian Sausage Pasta

When the pasta is tender and most of that liquid is absorbed, take the skillet off the heat—this is crucial before adding dairy! Stir in your heavy cream and the Italian seasoning, then fold in the browned sausage you saved. Let that warm through for just 2 minutes. Now, kill the heat completely, then stir in your fresh spinach until it just melts away. Finally, vigorously mix in that shredded Parmesan cheese until everything is smooth, luscious, and perfectly creamy. Taste it and add salt and pepper until your own taste buds sing!

If you’re looking for more amazing one-pot wonders without the fuss, you should definitely check out my recipe for the Easy One-Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta next week!

Tips for Success: Perfecting Your Creamy Sausage Pasta

I know one-pot meals are speedy, but paying attention during those few steps is what takes this dish from ‘pretty good’ to ‘I need to make this every Tuesday’ good. Since we are cooking the pasta right in the sauce base, there are a couple of little tricks I’ve picked up over the years—especially when I first started making variations of this sausage pasta.

The easiest win? Don’t walk away when it’s simmering! That 12 to 15 minutes where the pasta soaks up the broth is when most of the sticking happens. Just a quick stir every 3 or 4 minutes keeps the bottom clean and ensures every piece of pasta cooks evenly. I find if I don’t stir enough, the bottom layer gets gummy and steals flavor from the top!

SAVE

If you’re worried about the sodium content, especially since we are using broth and smoked sausage, here’s my go-to. Use low-sodium broth and hold off on adding any extra salt until the very end after you mix in that salty Parmesan cheese. You can always add more salt; you can’t take it out once it’s dissolved!

Now for heat control—this touches on making it a great Family Friendly Pasta Dinner. Smoked sausage isn’t inherently spicy, but if you swap it out for something like Andouille, you might need to balance the fire. My favorite hack is to add half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes right when you add the garlic, but only if you know everyone enjoys a little warmth. If you have picky eaters, simply leave those flakes out completely, and just sprinkle a tiny pinch over just your own serving bowl afterward. Easy customization!

And one more thing about that creaminess. Make sure you take the skillet OFF the heat before stirring in the heavy cream and cheese. If the sauce gets too aggressively hot when you add the Parmesan, it can sometimes separate or get a little clumpy instead of staying beautifully smooth. We want velvety texture, not grainy texture, right? For more ideas on mastering creamy sauces, check out my guide on Versatile Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe!

Variations on Your Favorite Sausage Pasta Recipe

One of the things I absolutely adore about this One-Pot Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet is how easily it morphs into something totally different next time you make it. It’s built on a fantastic, rich base, so you can swap out the sausage or add different veggies to keep things exciting. If you’ve made this as written maybe once or twice, it’s time to start experimenting!

This is where this simple Sausage Pasta Recipe really shines because it borrows structure from so many other great pasta dishes. You can completely change the vibe based on what kind of sausage you throw in there. When I want something bold and spicy for a weekend dinner, I switch things up entirely.

If you’re craving that spicy kick that pairs so well with cream, try making a Cajun version! Just swap the smoked sausage for Andouille sausage, and toss in about half a teaspoon of Creole or Cajun seasoning when you add the Italian seasoning. It makes the whole dish pop! For a richer, almost Tuscan feel, ditch the smoked sausage and use ground Italian sausage (sweet or hot—your call!). Brown that sausage instead of slicing it, and then stir in some sun-dried tomatoes with your diced tomatoes for an extra layer of savory goodness.

SAVE

Seriously, you can even make a sort of Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake version by transferring the final creamy mixture to a baking dish and topping it with mozzarella before popping it under the broiler for five minutes. As fun as those variations are, if you love sausage in Italian dishes, you should really check out my Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup—it’s just as comforting!

Serving Suggestions for This Weeknight Sausage Pasta Dinner

You’ve got this incredible, piping-hot, creamy skillet of goodness right in front of you. Now, what do you serve alongside it? Since this Weeknight Sausage Pasta Dinner is already so rich and satisfying on its own, you don’t want to complicate things with side dishes that require a whole extra hour of cooking. We are sticking to the “simple joy” philosophy here!

My absolute first choice when I make this is garlic bread. I mean, is there anything better than having a piece of crusty bread ready to soak up every last dollop of that creamy Parmesan sauce? I usually just pick up a loaf, slather it with butter mixed with garlic powder and maybe a little parsley, and toast it under the broiler while the pasta rests for five minutes before serving. Done!

If you feel like you need a little freshness—and trust me, a little green cuts through the richness perfectly—go for a sharp, simple side salad. Not something heavy, just crisp lettuce, maybe some tomatoes, and a bright vinaigrette. It feels fancy, but it takes literally three minutes to assemble. If you need an inspiration for a fantastic, easy salad that pairs with richer Italian-inspired flavors, you should definitely check out my guide on the Grinder Salad. It adds that necessary acidity and crunch!

Honestly, on a busy Tuesday, sometimes just the pasta is the victory. But if you have an extra five minutes, a piece of crusty bread or a simple green salad will make this feel like a truly complete meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Sausage Pasta

The best part about making such a comforting, rich dish like this sausage pasta? You get leftovers! Honestly, I think this tastes even better the next day when all those smoky, cheesy flavors have had a chance to fully mingle. But because we used heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to make it so wonderfully velvety, we need to store and reheat it correctly so you don’t end up with a thick, clumpy block of pasta.

When you’re done eating, let any leftovers cool down slightly on the counter for about 20 minutes before you seal them up. Make sure you transfer them into an airtight container. You want to seal it tight so it doesn’t dry out in the fridge. This will keep beautifully for about three to four days.

When you’re ready for round two, the key is moisture. You absolutely have to add a splash of liquid back into it before reheating, or it will be much too thick. I usually grab a spoonful or two of milk or even plain chicken broth—whatever is handy—right into the serving bowl before I put it in the microwave. Start heating in short bursts, stirring well between each one. This helps loosen up that sauce that’s tightened up in the cold.

If you’re reheating a big batch on the stovetop, dump everything into that same large skillet over medium-low heat, add about a quarter cup of broth or milk, and stir constantly until it’s warmed through and the sauce is moving easily again. We are aiming for that same creamy texture we loved right off the stove!

Frequently Asked Questions About One Pot Sausage Pasta

When you bring a recipe like this favorite One Pot Sausage Pasta into your rotation, you’re going to have questions! Most of the time, they relate to substitutions or making it fit different dietary needs. I’ve put together answers to the ones I get asked the most about this delicious dish. Don’t hesitate to reach out if yours isn’t answered here!

Can I make this a gluten-free sausage pasta?

Yes, absolutely! Since the sauce is built beautifully around the starch released from the pasta itself, switching to a gluten-free pasta works wonderfully here. I recommend using a gluten-free penne or rigatoni that is known for holding its shape well during cooking. Just watch the initial simmer time closely, as gluten-free varieties can sometimes soften faster than traditional wheat pasta. You still get that incredible Creamy Sausage Pasta result—just without the gluten!

What if I really don’t want to use heavy cream?

That’s totally fair! Heavy cream adds richness, but you have options. For a slightly lighter version, you can use evaporated milk. It works really well as a substitute in stovetop pasta sauces because it has a higher fat content than regular milk, so it’s less likely to curdle or thin out. If you want to avoid dairy altogether, a can of full-fat coconut milk works surprisingly well, though it will impart a very subtle sweetness. Start with a little less than the recipe calls for and adjust as you stir in the Parmesan cheese.

How can I make this Cajun Sausage Pasta if I only have Italian Sausage?

This is an easy pivot! If you’re holding ground Italian sausage instead of the smoked kind, you’ll want to add a bit more spice to mimic that Cajun depth. When you are sautéing the onion and garlic (Step 2), toss in about half a teaspoon of quality Cajun or Creole seasoning right along with them. If you like it seriously hot, add a pinch of red pepper flakes too. This simple seasoning adjustment transforms your Sausage Pasta Recipe into a fiery, flavorful experience!

Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time for this easy dinner?

Oh yes, batch prepping is the way to go for busy weeknights! You can easily chop the onion, mince the garlic, and slice the sausage the night before. Keep them stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When dinnertime rolls around, it’s just a matter of assembling and cooking. This cuts down the active prep time to almost zero, making this dish even faster! If you love quick cooking, you might also enjoy my Easy Creamy Coconut Poke Cake Recipe for dessert—it’s just as simple!

Share Your Experience Making This Simple Sausage Dinner Idea

I truly hope this One-Pot Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet brought a little bit of pure joy and ease to your kitchen! If you loved how quick and satisfying this was, please do me a huge favor and leave a quick star rating below. It helps me know what recipes you want to see more of. And hey, if you snapped a picture of your delicious bowl, tag me on Instagram or share it over on my Facebook page at Pure Cooking Joy!

Seeing your creations inspires me every single day to keep sharing these approachable meals. Happy cooking, and come back soon for more simple dinner ideas!

One-Pot Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

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This is an easy, one-pot recipe for creamy smoked sausage pasta, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying comfort meal with minimal cleanup.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Total Time: 35 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
2. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the dry pasta, diced tomatoes (with juice), and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
5. Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and the cooked sausage. Heat through for 2 minutes.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts.
7. Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
8. Serve immediately for a quick comfort food dinner.

Notes

• You can substitute smoked sausage with Italian sausage or andouille sausage for a different flavor profile.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic.
• This recipe uses rigatoni or penne, but feel free to use your favorite short pasta shape.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 6
• Sodium: 1100
• Fat: 45
• Saturated Fat: 20
• Unsaturated Fat: 25
• Trans Fat: 1
• Carbohydrates: 55
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 35
• Cholesterol: 110