Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is pretty much a one pan wonder you will want to cook over and over again! Perfect for a busy night, this is a hearty comforting dish that will truly satisfy.

Tuscan recipes are so divine! I love the flavor combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and cream! These reader-favorite Tuscan recipes are the perfect example: try Creamy Tuscan Scallops, Shrimp or Chicken!

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta - The Recipe Critic (1)

Italian Sausage Pasta

This is a super easy pasta recipe that tastes like you slaved over it all day. This Tuscan dish has tender pasta, savory sausage, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes and spinach all smothered in a creamy decadent sauce. It’s insanely delicious and it’s so quick and easy! You can even argue that it’s made in one pan, especially if you already had pasta already cooked. This creamy sausage pasta hits the spot when comes to wanting something full of flavor and comforting. It will no doubt become a new family favorite!

This will feel like you’re eating at a fancy Italian restaurant or having an intimate dinner for two all in the comfort of your own home. Pair this with a side of breadsticks, some roasted vegetables and a tasty chocolate dessert and you have fine dining perfect for busy weekdays. Whether it’s your first time with a Tuscan sauce or not, you have to try this tonight! You are going to love the way the sausage and sun-dried tomatoes come together in this sauce. It’s heavenly.

What is Tuscan Cooking?

Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea ofcucina poveraor “poor cooking.” It’s a concept of cooking that started very literally. It means simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be made into large amounts. For instance this recipe can be doubled super easily as could this Tuscan pasta salad or vegetable and chicken stew. They are filling dishes that taste amazing without super expensive ingredients!

Tuscan cooking doesn’t use complicated seasonings or elaborate ingredients. This is because they focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring out incredible flavors without the extras. It’s delicious done simply!

Ingredients for Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Creating this creamy dish is fast and easy and doesn’t take a bunch of crazy ingredients. Pick your favorite type meat! Ground sausage, pork, chicken and turkey all work so well. You can also control the spice level depending on what kind of sausage you get. If you like it hot, feel free to add red pepper flakes as garnish as well!

  • Penne Pasta:I love penne because it soaks up the delicious sauce, but you can use your favorite pasta instead.
  • Ground Sausage: Pick your favorite kind- mild, or spicy, pork or chicken!
  • Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce so nice and creamy!
  • Chicken Broth:Adds richness and flavor.
  • Garlic Powder: Garlic adds a great flavor in this Tuscan pasta.
  • Italian Seasoning: I love this seasoning, it has all the great spices together in one blend. You can make your own using my recipe here.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Love this cheese with this dish. Fresh is best if you have it! Grating your own cheese makes all the difference in flavor.
  • Baby Spinach: Super nutritious and adds a pop of color! You can also use kale as a substitute.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sweet and savory, these are just so good. Look for sun-dried tomatoes either in the produce section or the canned vegetable aisle!

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Truly, this dish couldn’t be easier. You are going to love that it tastes so amazing but is so simple to throw together. It’s perfect for a busy weekday, or a quiet weekend. Either way you have to try it!

  1. Precook Pasta:Bring a large pot to boil and then cook the pasta according to package directions.
  2. Cook Sausage:In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until it is no longer pink. Then set aside on a plate.
  3. Prepare Sauce:Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese.Whisk over medium high heat until it starts to thicken. Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and then let it simmer until the spinach starts to wilt. Then add the sausage back to the pan and add the pasta and stir until heated throughout.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

Use your imagination and what you have on hand to create this amazing creamy Tuscan pasta! You’re going to love how it turns out.

  • Pasta:I love using pasta that can really soak up the sauce and hold it in its crevices. For this creamy sausage pasta you can use almost any pasta you like, even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. Try cavatappi, rigatoni, conchiglie, tagliatelle, or fusilli for fun and ease.
  • Al Dente:Cook your pasta al dente. This means that the pasta is tender but is still chewy and holds it shape with a bit of firmness. This will allow the pasta to absorb the sauce a bit and hold on to the flavor in every bite.
  • Sausage:You can use just about any sausage you would like. I prefer to use Italian sausage, which is just sausage flavored with Italian-type spices versus regular sausage, but both will work. Italian sausage can be found in both mild and spicy, and either will taste amazing. For leaner versions try chicken or turkey Italian sausage.
  • Heavy Cream:You can use half and half instead of heavy cream to also cut a few calories but your sauce won’t turn out quite as rich.
  • Spinach:If you don’t have fresh spinach, frozen will work. Be sure to really squeeze out any of the extra liquid. Kale and Swiss chard can also be used.

How to Store Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Like most Italian dishes, this sausage pasta is almost better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. Heat up your leftovers for a quick and satisfying lunch!

  • In the Refrigerator: Keep leftovers tightly covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • In the Freezer: You can also keep this frozen for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stove. If it needs thinning add a bit of chicken broth or water as it heats.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta - The Recipe Critic (3)

More Incredible Pasta Recipes

Pasta is the ideal comfort food. It’s customizable and so satisfying! It also makes the BEST leftovers and is so easy to reheat for a quick and easy lunch. Need a new way to serve up pasta tonight? Try one of these tried and true favorites for dinner that’s guaranteed to win the family over.

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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

4.90 from 47 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Creamy Tuscan sausage pasta is pretty much a one pan wonder you will want to cook over and over again! Perfect for a busy night, this is a hearty comforting dish that will truly satisfy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 People

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot to boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.

  • In a large skillet add the sausage. Cook and crumble until it is no longer pink. Set aside on a plate.

  • Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. Whisk over medium high heat until it starts to thicken. Add the spinach and sundried tomatoes and let it simmer until the spinach starts to wilt. Add the sausage back to the pan and add the pasta and stir until heated throughout.

Video

Notes

Originally posted on February 17, 2021

Updated on March 10, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 778kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 25gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 875mgPotassium: 687mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1439IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 281mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian, Italian American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Is Tuscan sausage the same as Italian sausage? ›

This sausage is typical of the homemade sausages found in the northern area of Italy, especially in Tuscany near the city of Lucca. They may be used in any recipe calling for Italian sausage.

How do you crumble sausage links? ›

In a large nonstick skillet, cook sausage on medium-high 10–12 min., until sausage is browned and crumbled, using a spatula to break up meat. With a slotted spoon, transfer sausage from skillet, discarding any rendered fat.

What is Tuscan cream sauce made of? ›

It's full of garlic, butter, seasoning, and most importantly, heavy cream. — The mix-ins. We added cherry tomatoes and spinach to our skillet (like we do in most of our Tuscan-inspired recipes), but you can add even more additions if you have them on hand, or swap out the cherry tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes.

What is Tuscan sausage made of? ›

Bursting with flavour, Tuscan sausages are made from rare breed pork shoulder and belly. Characterised by a dappled appearance with both lean and fat visible, on account of a coarse grind and no added rusk or breadcrumbs, they deliver a meaty bite of the Italian countryside.

Can you turn sausage links into ground sausage? ›

Uncooked Sausage

The cut should be shallow enough to pierce the casing—don't cut all the way through the sausage. Flip sausage over, cut side down. Grab the split casing on one end with your thumb and forefinger and pull back the casing. Use the newly freed ground sausage or store for later.

How do you make sausage not crumbly? ›

Keep all your bits cold:

This is because warmth ruins the emulsification (structure) of the meat and prevents both liquid and fat from absorbing into the meat. This leads to a dry, crumbly and less flavorful sausage.

What is another name for Italian sausage? ›

Salsiccia

What sausage is close to Italian sausage? ›

Best Italian Sausage Substitutes: A Quick Look
Italian Sausage SubstituteFlavor ProfileSubstitution Ratio
Pork SausageMeaty and rich1:1
Chicken SausageHerbaceous with a mild flavor, lighter than pork1:1
Turkey SausageLean, slightly gamey1:1
BratwurstSavory and herbaceous1:1
8 more rows
Nov 5, 2023

What sausage is similar to Italian sausage? ›

Spanish chorizo is a popular choice for substituting Italian sausage, thanks to its bold flavors and rich smokiness. Similar to Italian sausage, chorizo adds depth and complexity to dishes with its distinct blend of spices, including smoked paprika, garlic, and chili peppers.

What is the name of the Tuscan sausage? ›

Unique and delicious authentic Italian Tuscan Sausages with a firm and meaty bite. Made with a secret blend of seasoning and fennel seeds they are very versatile and make delicious pasta dishes and casseroles.

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