This one-pot Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage delivers bold flavor in a creamy tomato sauce with savory sausage. Pure comfort—ready in 30 minutes!

For a penne pasta recipe with chicken, try Sun-Dried Tomato-Chicken Pasta, coated in a delicious Parmesan Cream Sauce.

Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage in the Pot.

Table of Contents

Penne Pasta Recipe

Busy weeknights call for quick pasta dishes, and this one? A total winner at my house!

Italian sausage (mild or spicy—your pick) simmers in a creamy tomato sauce with tender pasta, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Talk about pasta perfection!

Best part? Just one pot to clean and minimal prep. Big wins all around!

Quick Tip

Into easy one-pot dishes? Give One-Pot Spaghetti, no-fuss Hamburger Helper, or One-Pot Chicken Orzo a whirl. They’ve got rave reviews for a reason!

All Ingredients for the Recipe Gathered Together.

Penne Pasta With Sausage Ingredients

Here’s what we’ve got going on in this tasty penne pasta dish:

  • Olive oil: A tasty base that makes everything better.
  • Yellow onion: In a hurry? Grab pre-chopped.
  • Garlic: Use jarred or a garlic press to save time.
  • Italian sausage: Mild or spicy—your choice. Swap for turkey or chicken to lighten it up.
  • Italian seasoning: A mix of herbs for classic Italian flavor.
  • Tomato paste: Thick and packed with bold tomato flavor.
  • Crushed tomatoes: For extra flavor grab fire-roasted.
  • Chicken stock/broth: Adds way more flavor than water.
  • Penne pasta: Cooks in the same pot and soaks up all the sauce.
  • Heavy whipping cream: Don’t use a low-fat option.
Sautéing Onion and Garlic, Browning Sausage, Stirring in Seasonings and Tomato Paste for One Pot Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage.

How To Make Penne Pasta (Tips)

  1. Prep ahead: Measure and set out ingredients for easy cooking.
  2. Use a big pot: Prevents pasta from sticking and helps it cook evenly.
  3. Taste as you go: Adjust flavors while cooking.
  4. Stir often: Stops pasta from sticking and ensures even cooking.
  5. Cook pasta firm: It softens in the hot sauce, so slightly undercook it.
  6. Keep heat low: After adding cream, low heat keeps the sauce smooth.
  7. Serve right away: Creamy pasta tastes best fresh.

Which Sauce Is Best For Penne?

Penne pasta recipes with tomato sauce are my top pick, but the tube-like structure with ridges makes it versatile for all sorts of sauces.

Here are our best penne pasta recipes with sauces that pair nicely:

Adding Cream, Simmering, Mixing with Basil, and Serving The Dish

Storage

This Italian Penne Pasta With Sausage recipe, like many pasta dishes, tastes best right off the stove! For a head start, you can sauté the onion, garlic, and brown the Italian sausage. Just pop it in the fridge and pull it out when you’re set to whip up this dish!

Close-up View of Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage Dish.

What To Serve With Penne Pasta

More Favorite Pasta Dishes

Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage in the Pot.
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5 from 2 votes

Penne Pasta

By Chelsea Lords
One-pot Penne Pasta with Sausage is creamy, savory, and packed with flavor. With a rich tomato sauce, hearty sausage, and tender pasta, it’s comfort food ready in 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1-1/2 cups diced yellow onion 1 large
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3 cloves
  • 1 pound Italian sausage see note 1
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste see note 2
  • 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 (32-ounce) container chicken stock or broth, 4 cups
  • 4 cups penne pasta
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream see note 3
  • Fresh basil optional
  • Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions 

  • In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over high heat. Add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes or until onions are golden. Push to the sides of the pot and add sausage to the center. Allow it to sear briefly, then break it apart and cook until no longer pink.
  • Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper to taste (I add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper). Sauté, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir. Add pasta and stir to submerge in the liquid.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer (bubbling gently). Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Continue cooking until pasta is nearly done.
  • Pour in the cream and continue simmering an additional 1–2 minutes or until pasta is al dente. It’s ok if it’s saucy; the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.
  • Take the pot off the heat and give the pasta a good stir. Serve hot. If desired, garnish with ripped fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Sausage comes in different-sized packages—as long as you’re in the general ballpark, this recipe will work just fine. If using Italian sausages with casings, be sure to remove the casings before cooking. I do not drain off the grease in this recipe, but you can if you’d like.
Note 2: Stick to tomato paste for this recipe; it’s far more concentrated than other tomato products.
Note 3: I don’t recommend swapping out milk for the heavy cream. The cream balances the acidity of the tomato paste and has enough fat to properly thicken. Nut milks don’t work well, either.
Storage: Let leftovers cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 739kcal | Carbohydrates: 69.9g | Protein: 26.4g | Fat: 36.9g | Cholesterol: 90.2mg | Sodium: 890mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 9.6g

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

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Meet Chelsea

Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 2 votes

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4 Comments

  1. Katie Byer says:

    5 stars
    My go to sausage penne recipe! Thank you!!

    Reply
    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay! Happy to hear!

      Reply
  2. Katie says:

    My go to sausage penne recipe, so good! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Olivia Mendenhall says:

    5 stars
    I’m Chelsea’s sister and I first tried this at her house and we were all OBSESSED! I make it regular now and it’s one the of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever tried!

    Reply