If you are looking for an easy pasta recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results, this spicy sausage penne is it! This creamy sausage pasta combines spicy and sweet flavors for a dinner recipe that’s simple but delicious.
What makes this spicy sausage penne different from your average pasta recipe is a simple secret ingredient: egg yolk. Adding an egg yolk during the final cooking process gives the sauce additional volume and creaminess. The result is a silky, rich, restaurant-style pasta sauce that coats every piece of penne and sausage beautifully. It is a simple technique that can take a homemade pasta dish to another level.
Next level pasta at home!
The pasta is also cooked with a chicken bouillon cube, which adds another layer of flavor. After cooking the penne, be sure to reserve some of the pasta water. That starchy pasta water is an important part of creating the right consistency because it helps loosen the sauce while allowing the cheese, cream, and seasonings to come together smoothly.
For the cheese, I use a combination of Asiago, cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack. You can use what you’d like, but this is my preference. This blend creates a creamy, cheesy sauce with plenty of flavor and just enough heat to complement the spicy Italian sausage. Meanwhile, the butter helps create a flavorful base when everything comes together in the same pan.
This creamy spicy sausage penne is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, Sunday dinner, family meal, or anytime you want a comforting bowl of pasta without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of spicy sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked penne makes every bite hearty and flavorful.
If you are looking for another way to add homemade flavor to your recipes, I also have a sweet potato syrup recipe linked on this same page. The syrup is a great homemade ingredient to keep on hand for adding sweet potato flavor to drinks, desserts, and other recipes.
Make this spicy sausage penne when you want comfort food that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant. The ingredients are approachable, the technique is simple, and that final egg yolk addition is the secret that brings the entire sauce together.
Grocery list
- 1 pack spicy or sweet Italian sausages
- 1 box penne pasta
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 cup cheese blend, such as Asiago, cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 egg yolk
How to make spicy sausage penne
Description
How to make spicy sausage penne
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the spicy or sweet Italian sausages until browned and cooked through. Remove any excess grease if needed.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the chicken bouillon cube, then add the penne pasta. Cook according to the package directions until the pasta reaches your preferred doneness.
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Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the penne and set aside.
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Add the cooked penne to the same pan used to cook the sausage. This allows the pasta to pick up the flavorful bits left in the pan.
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Add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until well combined.
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Add the cheese blend and butter. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta and sausage.
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Slowly add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
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Reduce the heat to low. Add the egg yolk and immediately mix thoroughly into the pasta and sauce. Continue stirring until the egg yolk is fully incorporated and the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thicker.
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Once everything is well combined and the sauce has reached a creamy consistency, remove from the heat. Serve immediately and enjoy your spicy sausage penne.
