Italian Sausage Pasta
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An easy and authentic meal made with affordable ingredients like my Italian sausage pasta recipe is always a win to make for dinner. I load it with tomatoes, broccolini, and cheese for a quick comforting dish ready in less than an hour.
Growing up in an Italian household shaped the way I cook and the meals I put on my table. I always make room for dishes that reflect my background, and after sharing my Italian pot roast known as Stracotto last week, I am happy to show you how to make an easy and budget friendly Italian sausage pasta recipe that is perfect for feeding a big family.
Italian Sausage Pasta
Italian sausage pasta is a rustic pasta dish made by combining pasta with Italian sausage and a simple sauce, often using tomatoes, vegetables, and cheese. It comes from everyday Italian home cooking, where affordable ingredients were used to feed large families. Over time, it became especially popular in Italian American kitchens.
Growing up in a big family, I understand why my parents cooked all kinds of pasta, from a simple pasta al limone to the comforting spaghetti carbonara my mom used to make all the time. So now you can see why I keep creating and sharing so many recipes here on my blog for you to make at home for your family and friends.
My pasta recipes are typically very traditional, but they are also versatile, allowing you to add different proteins like chicken, beef, bison, fish, shellfish, lamb, goat, rabbit, or venison, along with a wide range of vegetables. The options are endless, and that flexibility is what makes these recipes so enjoyable to cook and share.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Oil – Any good olive oil will work for this recipe.
- Onions – I always use yellow Spanish onions in my recipes, but you can use white or sweet onions.
- Garlic – 4 to 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves is what I use.
- Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes work great for this, but if you want to splurge use San Marzano tomatoes or even in-season ripe fresh tomatoes.
- Sausage – You should use a mild or hot Italian sausage. Feel free to make my homemade Italian sausage recipe which tastes great for this recipe
- Broccolini – Just one bunch will be plenty as the stems will be used as well.
- Pasta – I love using linguine for this dish.
- Cheese – Parmesan is a great cheese to use, but you can substitute it for pecorino or Ricotta Salata.
- Basil – Use fresh basil for this recipe as it will make it much more delicious.
How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta
Make the sauce: I heat olive oil in a pan, then add the onions and cook them until caramelized. Next, I add the sliced garlic and let it brown lightly before stirring in the pureed tomatoes to create a simple pomodoro sauce.
Cook the sausage: I add some oil to a large frying pan or rondeau, then cook the sausage for 4 to 5 minutes per side until it is well seared and cooked through. Next, I slice it and set it aside.
Cook the pasta: I add the pasta to a large pot of boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente.
Cook the broccolini: Next, I add the prepared broccolini and sauté it over low heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
Combine everything: I drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the broccolini, then add the sausage, pomodoro sauce, cheese, basil, salt, and pepper. Next, I mix everything until well combined.
Serve: I serve the pasta with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top.
Chef Tip + Notes
My easy advice for this Italian Sausage Pasta recipe is to finish the pasta in the pan with the sauce instead of just topping it. Mixing the pasta, sausage, and pomodoro together over low heat helps absorb flavor and creates a more cohesive dish.
- Sear the sausage: I let the sausage cook until well browned before slicing it. This adds richer flavor and better texture.
- Simmer the sauce: I cook the pomodoro sauce slowly so the onions soften and the tomatoes develop depth without burning.
- Cook the pasta al dente: I stop cooking the pasta once it is al dente so it stay firm in the sauce.
- Homemade pasta: If you are using fresh homemade pasta note the timing of assembling this recipe as fresh pasta will only take 1 to 2 minutes to cook.
Serving Suggestions
I like serving this pasta with a fresh Italian Salad to keep the meal light. When tomatoes are in season, I also love adding my caprese salad, which pairs great with the Italian sausage and sauce.
For something to share at the table, I bring out some crostini or my freshly made tomato focaccia. Both are perfect for scooping up extra sauce and turning this pasta into a family style meal, just like the ones I grew up enjoying as a child.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: This is meant to be eaten as soon as it is finished being made.
How to Store: Cover the pasta with sausage and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This will not freeze well.
How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of pasta to a medium-sized saucepot and add in 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and heat over low to medium heat while continually gently stirring with a spoon until hot. Adjust seasonings and serve.
More Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Bucatini All’Amatriciana
- Pasta Cacio E Pepe
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- Fettucine Alfredo
Video
Italian Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 peeled and small diced yellow onion
- 5 thinly sliced garlic clove
- 28 ounce can of peeled whole tomatoes
- 3 mild Italian sausage links
- 1 pound of dry linguine pasta
- 1 bunch of broccolini, cut into 1" pieces including the stem
- 1 cup or shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil + more for garnish
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a medium-size pot over low heat and cook the onions until well browned, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Next stir in the sliced garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Puree the tomatoes in a blender and then pour it into the pot with onions and garlic and cook it over low to medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large frying pan or rondeau and cook the sausage for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until well seared and cooked through. Slice and set aside.
- Add the pasta to a large pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions or until al dente.
- In the meantime, add the prepared broccolini and sauté for on low heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until just cooked but still slightly crunchy.
- Drain the pasta and add to the pan with the broccolini and then add in the sausage, pomodoro sauce, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, basil, salt, and pepper, and mix.
- Serve the pasta with additional parmesan cheese and basil.
Very good
Thank you!
The whole family loved it and wanted seconds. It was a treat.
thank you
Excellent! Appreciate you giving it a try!
Delicious. Working moms, this is for you!!!
Thanks for trying the recipe!