• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking My Dreams
  • Recipes
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • Work with me
    • Portfolio
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • Work with me
  • Subscribe!
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Pasta » Italian Sausage Pasta

    Italian Sausage Pasta

    Published: Oct 25, 2020 · Modified: May 6, 2021 by Jessica Montanelli · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sharing is caring!

    19 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • WhatsApp
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Total time to make this recipe: 40 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    white dish with pasta with sausage tomato sauce with a fork

    A flavorful pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce made with good quality Italian sausage. This recipe is the perfect Italian style Sunday dinner (or lunch), but it's so easy to make that it's perfect also as a weeknight meal. A few quality ingredients can make a perfect meal.

    It's no secret that sausages work great in a tomato sauce. That's why it is one of my favorite pizza toppings. In Tuscany, we also have a traditional main course of sausages stewed in a tomato sauce with beans. It sounds like an English thing, but it's totally Italian! It's called "Fagioli all'Uccelletto" and it's so good!

    In Tuscany, we love our sausages and like everything else, they're unique and different from the sausages made throughout Italy. Since moving to the Netherlands, I miss cooking with our coarse-cut with black pepper sausages. In Tuscany, we use A LOT of black pepper. But even here sometimes we can find nice Italian style sausages, which are different from the Tuscan ones but still nice.

    white dish with pasta with sausage tomato sauce with a fork

    What is Italian Sausage?

    You would think that the term "Italian Sausage" would identify a specific product which is always the same. But it's not. It doesn't exist a unique "Italian Sausage", as in Italy, each region has its own different way of making sausages. As mentioned above, in Tuscany we make it with coarse-cut meat and we use a lot of black pepper. This type of sausage is not easily found outside of Tuscany, let alone Italy.

    The most common sausages exported around the world, are mostly the Southern style. Maybe because the majority of Italian immigrants around the world are from the South of Italy. They often have fennel seeds, sweet paprika, or spicy chili pepper. Sometimes even a mix of herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage.

    For this recipe, you can use whichever Italian sausage you prefer or have available in stores near you. I used a fennel sausage in this case, which gives a nice aroma to the tomato sauce, similar to my Pork Chop with Fennel sauce recipe.

    overhead dish with pasta and sausage tomato sauce
    white dish with pasta with sausage tomato sauce

    How to make Sausage Pasta

    This recipe is super easy and you don't need a ton of ingredients, as long as you use good quality ones. Good quality meat, good quality tomatoes, and good quality pasta. That's the basics!

    The sauce can be made all in one skillet or non-stick pan and then you can add the boiled pasta directly to the sauce. I do not recommend cooking the pasta directly in the sauce (even though it's possible), because it takes too long and you need to stir often to make sure it doesn't stick. So even though you use one less pan, it takes more work to do it.

    How to cook the Sausage

    The most important step of making this sauce is cooking the sausage properly. Nobody likes a bite of sausage bigger than the pasta, so it's important that you break the sausage correctly when you cook it.

    First, you need to remove the sausage from the casing, then instead of tossing it directly in the pan, break it already in pieces with your hands, this way it'll be easier to break it further while it cooks. Turn on the heat so it starts browning and with a wooden spoon keep breaking it into pieces as small as possible. You can leave a few bigger chunks but most of it should be broken into small pieces.

    The more it cooks, the easier it will be breaking it. If it's browning too much, lower the heat or remove from the heat for a few minutes while you keep working on it.

    macro of a fork holding a few pieces of sausage pasta
    white dish with pasta with sausage tomato sauce

    The Recipe

    If you like this recipe, try also these other similar ones:

    • Lasagna with pumpkin and sausage
    • "Penne alla boscaiola" with mushrooms and bacon
    • Tuscan Beef Ragù sauce
    white dish with pasta with sausage tomato sauce with a fork

    Italian Sausage Pasta

    A flavorful tomato sauce enriched with Italian sausages. A few good quality ingredients make the perfect Sunday or weeknight meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Author: Jessica Montanelli

    Ingredients

    • 6 oz Dried Pasta
    • 2 Garlic cloves
    • Olive Oil
    • 2 Italian Sausages
    • 2 tablespoon Soffritto, see notes
    • 1 can Tomato sauce
    • 3-4 tablespoon Milk or Cream
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Parmigiano cheese, optional

    Instructions

    • In a skillet or a non-stick pan, drizzle some olive oil and add the peeled garlic cloves cut in halves and the sausages. Turn on the heat and break the sausages into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until it starts to brown.
    • Add the Soffritto and the tomato sauce to the pan with ⅓ cup of water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
    • Turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and when the sauce it's almost done, toss the pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
    • Add the milk or cream to the sauce and season to taste.
    • Drain the pasta al dente and toss it in the skillet with the sauce.
    • Serve with grated Parmigiano on top.

    Notes

    Soffritto is a mix of an equal quantity of white onions, carrots, and celery. You can make it in advance and freeze it in portions to have readily available. See this post about Soffritto for more info.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 725 kcal | Carbohydrates: 67 g | Protein: 28 g | Fat: 37 g | Saturated Fat: 13 g | Cholesterol: 87 mg | Fiber: 3 g

    Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Have you tried this recipe?Snap a photo and tag @jess.cookingmydreams or use the hashtag #cookingmydreams!

    If you like this recipe, you can leave a comment and a star rating to support me. ★★★★★
    Thank you so much!

    « Easy Italian Apple Cake
    Pumpkin Risotto with Gorgonzola Cheese »

    Sharing is caring!

    19 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • WhatsApp
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm an Italian who moved to the Netherlands with a true passion for food, travel, and everything handmade. I love to experiment, learn new skills, and share my knowledge about everything I do!

    This blog is my perfect escape to search for my path towards happiness. :)

    More about me →

    • jess.cookingmydreams
    • Cooking my Dreams
    • jess.cookingmydreams

    Popular Recipes

    • Ricotta and Smoked Salmon Ravioli
    • Pici Cacio e Pepe (Tuscan Pasta with Creamy Cheese and Black Pepper Sauce)
    • Classic Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
    • Classic Tuscan Lasagna
    • Soffritto (Mirepoix): What it is, how to use and how to freeze
    • Pasta with Easy Creamy Eggplant Sauce

    Subscribe and get a Free E-Cookbook

    ebook page that says 10 classic tuscan recipes.

    As Seen In

    Spring Recipes

    • Soft Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Chocolate Chunks
    • Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tartare
    • Wild Mushroom Ravioli (with Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce)
    • Raspberry Chocolate mini Bundt Cakes

    Follow me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Portfolio
    • Cooking Classes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    I refuse.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    19 shares