Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet – Easy One-Pot Dinner Recipe

There’s nothing like a big skillet of creamy, cheesy pasta to bring everyone to the table.

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet is packed with rich Italian flavors, tender pasta, and gooey cheese — all ready in about 30 minutes.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s a one-skillet meal, so cleanup is easy.

The creamy tomato sauce is packed with herbs and savory sausage.

Kid-friendly and hearty enough for grown-up appetites too.

It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.

What You’ll Need (Ingredient Highlights)

Pasta – Penne or fusilli work best to catch all the creamy sauce.

Italian sausage – Adds bold, meaty flavor to the dish.

Onion and garlic – The aromatic base for our sauce.

Tomato paste and diced tomatoes – Build depth and texture.

Herbs – Oregano, basil, parsley bring classic Italian notes.

Cream + cheese – Parmesan and mozzarella for that rich, gooey finish.

Pro Tips Before You Start

Salt your pasta water well — it should taste like the sea.

Don’t skip deglazing the skillet — that’s where flavor hides!

Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Let the sauce simmer to thicken before adding cream.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and taste.

How to Make Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions.

Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the Italian sausage and cook, crumbling it, until browned and no longer pink.

Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.

Step 3: Build the Sauce Base

In the same skillet, cook the diced onion until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.

Let simmer for 3–5 minutes.

Add the diced tomatoes with juice and all dried herbs.

Season with salt and pepper.

Let the mixture cook for another 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Add Cream and Adjust

Stir in the half and half or heavy cream.

Let it cook for 2–3 more minutes, then add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Return sausage to the skillet.

Add cooked pasta and toss everything together to coat with the sauce.

Step 7: Make it Cheesy

Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until melted and gooey.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

What to Serve It With

Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks

A crisp Caesar salad or arugula with balsamic

Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli

A glass of red wine for a grown-up pairing

Variations / Substitutions

Use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.

Swap in gluten-free pasta if needed.

Add spinach or kale for extra greens.

Use crushed tomatoes if you prefer a smoother sauce.

Replace mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different cheesy twist.

Storage & Leftovers

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.

Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

Freeze: Freeze in single portions for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on stove or microwave.

Add a splash of cream or pasta water when reheating to restore creaminess.

FAQs

Can I make this without cream?
Yes! You can use whole milk or leave it out for a more tomato-forward sauce.

Is it spicy?
Mild Italian sausage keeps it tame, but you can use spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prep the sauce and cook the pasta separately. Combine and heat when ready to serve.

What kind of pasta is best?
Penne and fusilli hold sauce well, but rigatoni or rotini are great too.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, but fresh-grated melts better and tastes richer.

How do I prevent the sauce from drying out?
Add pasta water gradually and stir continuously after adding cheese.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Sausage Pasta Skillet is everything I want in a weeknight dinner: fast, hearty, and bursting with flavor.

It brings comfort in every bite and easily feeds a hungry crowd.

Once you try it, I promise it’ll become a regular at your table.