Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

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When comfort food meets bold flavor, this Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta steals the show. It’s a creamy, savory, and slightly spicy one-skillet pasta dish that truly lives up to its name. With juicy sausage, tender pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and a dreamy parmesan cream sauce, this meal is everything you want when you need something hearty, quick, and insanely satisfying.

It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a romantic date night in. Plus, it reheats beautifully for lunch the next day (if there are any leftovers!). Whether you’re cooking for your partner, family, or just treating yourself, this is one of those recipes that gets requested again and again.


What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?

This recipe is flexible enough for whatever sausage you love most. Spicy Italian sausage adds a kick and pairs well with the creamy sauce, but smoked sausage or andouille are delicious too. If you’re watching the heat, go for a mild Italian or chicken sausage. Just make sure it has plenty of flavor—this dish is all about bold, savory bites.


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Ingredients for the Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

Sausage – This is the star of the dish. Use a flavorful sausage that browns well and adds depth.

Elbow macaroni or short pasta – Perfect for soaking up that luscious creamy sauce.

Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the dish a warm aromatic base.

Sun-dried tomatoes – Adds a tangy-sweet richness that cuts through the cream.

Spinach – A handful of greens for balance and color.

Heavy cream – For the indulgent, velvety sauce that ties everything together.

Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated is best for flavor and meltability.

Chicken broth – Helps thin out the cream while adding extra flavor.

Crushed red pepper flakes – Optional, but great for adding a little heat.

Olive oil – For sautéing and adding richness.

Salt and black pepper – Essential for balancing all the flavors.


How To Make the Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced or crumbled sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and let them warm through.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Add Pasta & Simmer

Add the uncooked pasta directly into the skillet. Stir everything together and let it simmer uncovered for about 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 5: Finish with Flavor

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet along with spinach, parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the spinach wilts and everything is creamy and well combined.

Step 6: Taste and Serve

Taste for seasoning, adjust salt and pepper, then serve warm with extra parmesan on top.


Serving and Storing Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

This pasta is best served fresh from the skillet, garnished with more parmesan or a pinch of red pepper flakes. It pairs beautifully with crusty garlic bread or a light green salad.

To store leftovers, let the pasta cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-cooked sausage?

Yes! Just slice it and brown lightly to enhance the flavor before continuing with the recipe.

What kind of pasta works best?

Short pasta like elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini work great. They hold the sauce well and cook evenly in the skillet.

Is there a dairy-free option?

You can use unsweetened coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative. The flavor changes slightly, but it still works.

Can I make this ahead of time?

It tastes best fresh, but you can prep the sausage and sauce a day ahead. Reheat with fresh pasta or keep everything together for meal prep.

How do I make it spicier?

Use hot Italian sausage and extra crushed red pepper flakes to dial up the heat.


Want More Pasta Skillet Ideas?

If this Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta hit the spot, try these next from the blog:


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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go for spicy sausage or mild? Did you sneak in extra veggies?

I love seeing your spins on these recipes. Questions and kitchen wins welcome—let’s cook and learn together.

For more daily meal ideas, visit my Pinterest page: Life with Nina Recipes


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Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta

  • Author: Nina Johnson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired

Description

This Easy Marry Me Sausage Pasta is a rich, creamy one-skillet dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. With spicy sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan in a luscious cream sauce, this quick pasta is perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners in.


Ingredients

Scale

12 oz sausage (Italian, smoked, or your favorite)

8 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

2 cups spinach

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper


Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

2. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add sun-dried tomatoes and stir to warm through.

3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan.

4. Add uncooked pasta. Stir and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.

5. Return sausage to the skillet. Add spinach, parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Stir until spinach wilts and cheese melts.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with extra parmesan if desired.


Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and creaminess.

If your sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth when reheating.

For extra spice, double the red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: sausage pasta, marry me pasta, creamy skillet pasta

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