This Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta is a simple yet indulgent dish you’ll find yourself craving time and again. In just 40 minutes, you'll create a rich, velvety sauce packed with savory Italian sausage, perfectly paired with al dente rigatoni. The combination of bold flavors and hearty pasta makes this recipe a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package directions.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add the sausage to the pan and crumble while browning, for about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, calabrian chili paste (if using) and tomato paste. Stir and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the diced tomatoes, turn the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Pour in the heavy cream or coconut milk, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat, season with salt and black pepper to taste and toss with the pasta. Serve with basil and parmesan cheese.
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Notes
You can change the spice level by adding more Calabrian chili paste or topping the pasta with red pepper flakes.
You always want to cook pasta to al dente so there’s a little bite and the pasta doesn’t fall apart.
Reserve some pasta water to thin out your sauce if needed.
I like to buy the tubes because they last longer in the fridge. If you buy canned tomato paste, you can transfer leftovers to a different container for storage.
Store this creamy sausage sauce in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
If making a large batch, place it in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can store already-made pasta in the fridge for 3-5 days but I recommend making it fresh each time.