Big on taste and convenience, this Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta recipe makes the whole family happy at the dinner table. Using just one pot and pantry ingredients, it’s a super fast, easy weeknight dinner!
Love a good one pot pasta? You’ll enjoy my One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta too!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below!
Super easy to make, with a ton of flavor, Smoked Sausage Pasta is a weeknight dinner dream! Sausage, tender pasta in a creamy sauce, this is one of the more simple recipes I make, but easily one of my faves.
I regularly stare at the fridge at dinner time wondering what the heck I’m going to make that we’ll all enjoy using only what I have on hand. I’ve made this easy recipe many times more than I’d like to admit!
Because the smoked sausage is already cooked, it just takes a light browning and you’re good to go, it takes 30 minutes from start to finish.
You will need smoked sausage, onion, garlic, whatever pasta you have lying around, canned tomatoes, chicken stock, cream, and cheddar cheese!
Thankfully for me, I keep the ingredients stocked in my house for this exact purpose. No need for a recipe book requiring far-fetched ingredients. This is all you need!
This all cooks in one pan, no need to cook and drain pasta!
It can be paired with whatever you have on hand in the fridge or pantry for a fast, fool-proof meal that will be come your family’s favorite dinner.
Make this recipe for dinner tonight, and you will make it over and over again, trust me!
Need more sausage recipes? Check out my Smoked Sausage and Rice Skillet Recipe or my Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya!
What you’ll find in this post:
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Super quick and easy to make. It’s one of those meals you’ll love, and forevermore keep the ingredients on hand for a quick dinner!
- Family friendly. My kids fight over the leftovers for this meal. Husband too.
- Pasta skillet meals are good for clean up, in that you only need a cutting board and a can opener, and that’s all the dishes you’ll dirty!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use milk or half n half in place of cream?
Yes! you may need to add a little cream cheese to thicken the sauce, but it’s doable.
How do I know if my pasta is cooked?
Take a piece out of the pan. Al dente pasta will feel firm, not crunchy when you bite down with your front teeth.
Can I use any kind of sausage?
Yes! Any fully cooked sausage will work well. I prefer the beef smoked sausage, but any variety (smoked turkey sausage is great!) that you love will work.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can, and yes, you totally should. If you have a bigger family than me, or you just love leftovers – double/triple/quadruple away!
The Best Side Dishes for Sausage Pasta
If you feel that you must serve something on the side, go for a Garden Salad, some Roasted Broccoli or some Red Lobster Biscuits.
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
What to do with leftovers
Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat until piping hot!
Substitutions/Additions
Change it up with different types of sausage, cheese, and pasta shapes.
Seasoning: Add a little onion and garlic powder to bump up the flavor. If you are into Cajun seasoning, you’ll love my Jambalaya as well.
Add some diced bell pepper, some sun-dried tomatoes, or some roasted red peppers to your meal. You could even add broccoli if you want!
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bump of heat!
Recommended Equipment/Tools
- Dutch Oven or large skillet
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Smoked sausage. I use fully-cooked smoked sausage. I like beef sausage (Hillshire Farms is our fave), but you should use your favorite! Try turkey sausage, andouille sausage or kielbasa too.
- Onion and garlic. Diced onion and minced garlic form the delicious base of the sauce. If you don
- Pasta. Any kind of pasta will do. I like the short pasta types for this like farfalle (bow ties), penne pasta, rigatoni, or shells. Long pasta like spaghetti and fettuccine will be okay, but won’t work as well.
- Tomatoes. Canned tomatoes. I use the diced ones. If you have whole tomatoes, dice them up before throwing them in. For a spicier version, instead of diced tomatoes, you could use Rotel tomatoes if you’d like (Rotel is a brand name, it is tomatoes with green chilies mixed in).
- Stock. Chicken stock, chicken broth, or even vegetable stock works.
- Cream. Just a half cup of heavy cream. You can use milk, half and half, or even add a little cream cheese to thicken the sauce.
- Seasonings. We go basic here and just use some kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper.
- Cheese. Any kind you like! I love sharp cheddar cheese, but also use pepper jack, Monterey jack, or whatever I have on hand. Including Velveeta, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese!
- Optional garnish: While it does look pretty, it also adds a little extra flavor. If you have it on hand, use it. Fresh parsley also works.
How to make Smoked Sausage Pasta in One Skillet
Scroll for Recipe
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Dice your onion, slice your sausage, mince your garlic, and open the can of tomatoes. Cut your green onions.
Cook the onions, garlic and brown the sausage
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat.
Add sausage and diced onion. Cook until lightly browned, and the onion begins to soften- 1-2 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add pasta tomatoes and stock
Add the pasta, diced tomatoes, and stock, heavy cream and salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, and cooked. If there isn’t enough liquid, add chicken broth to keep it going.
Remove from the heat and stir through the cheese.
Replace the lid and allow it to sit for 5 minutes, to melt the cheese.
Serve
Remove the lid off, stir to combine, and scoop into bowls. Garnish with green onions if you wish. Devour.
Want more Easy Pasta Recipes?
- Chili Mac with Turkey. We’re bringing childhood back! Lightened up with turkey vs beef, and made in one pan – this one is a family favorite!
- Skillet Mac and Cheese. Comfort food at its finest, this skillet mac & cheese is so easy! Just the skillet and a pasta pot, then a quick broil, and this is ready FAST!
- Ham Tetrazzini. A super-fast weeknight dinner, this Ham Tetrazzini is a spin on the traditional version and is sure to please the whole family.
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Tomato Pasta. Quick to make, and super tasty – this recipe uses just 6 ingredients (mainly pantry staples) is yummy and kid-friendly to boot! The whole family will enjoy this one!
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Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta (dinner made in one pan!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb Smoked Sausage Rope (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 4 teaspoons garlic (minced, about 4 cloves)
- 8 ounces bow tie pasta
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half, or milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons green onions (sliced)
Directions
Get prepped
- Dice your onion, slice your sausage, mince your garlic and open the can of tomatoes. Cut your green onions.
Cook the onions, garlic and brown the sausage
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced sausage and the diced onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften – 1-2 minutes.
- Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
Add pasta tomatoes and stock
- Add the pasta, tomatoes, and stock and cream.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over a low heat for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat stir through the cheese.
- Replace the lid and allow to sit 5 minutes, so the cheese melts.
Serve
- Stir well, and scoop into bowls.
- Garnish with green onions if you wish.
- Devour.
Notes
- Can I use milk or half n half in place of cream?
Yes! you may need to add a little cream cheese to thicken the sauce, but it’s totally doable. - How do I know if my pasta is cooked?
Take a piece out of the pan. Al dente pasta will feel firm, not crunchy when you bite down with your front teeth. - Can I use any kind of sausage?
Yes! Any fully cooked sausage will work well. - Can I double this?
Yes, you can, and yes, you totally should. If you have a bigger family than me, or you just love leftovers – double/triple/quadruple away!
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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