This penne with sausage and tomato cream sauce is the easiest, quickest weeknight dinner packed with flavor!
Why this recipe works
Penne with sausage and tomato sauce is hearty, filling, and so easy to prepare. If you chop and measure out everything ahead of time, it comes together in a snap.
Ground pork sausage adds a lot of flavor to this meal as it is, but when paired with a rich, slightly creamy tomato-based sauce that’s seasoned with oregano, sage, and red pepper flakes plus garlic and shallots – you can bet it’s swimming with flavor. Whenever it’s on sale we stock up for easy meals like this pasta or colorful stuffed peppers.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
PASTA – We used penne pasta, but you can use any kind of pasta you prefer here! Spaghetti, ziti, rigatoni, mostaccoli – you name it.
SAUSAGE – Grab a pound of ground sausage. Regular, mild, or hot all work. You can easily substitute with ground beef if preferred.
How to Make Penne with Tomato Sage Sausage Sauce
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Cook the penne according to package directions.
- Add the sausage, shallots, and garlic to a large heavy bottomed skillet.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring to crumble the sausage, for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and thoroughly cooked. Drain sausage if needed.
- Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, sage, and red pepper flakes. When the liquid comes to a boil, cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.
- When the penne is done, drain well, and return to the pasta pan.
- Add the tomato sauce and cream to the pasta.
- Stir over low heat for one minute or until warm.
- Garnish the servings with Parmesan cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through or pop it in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
Serve penne with sausage tomato sauce along with garlic bread and a crisp dinner salad. Enjoy warm with a garnish of parmesan cheese.
More Pasta Recipes
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Penne with Tomato Sage Sausage Sauce
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 16 ounces penne pasta 14-16 ounces
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- ½ cup minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes two 14 ounce cans
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried sage or 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- You can easily halve this recipe for less servings.
- We used penne pasta, but you can use any kind of pasta you prefer here! Spaghetti, ziti, rigatoni, mostaccoli – you name it.
- Grab a pound of ground pork sausage. Regular, mild, or hot all work. You can easily substitute with ground beef if preferred.
Instructions
- Cook the penne according to package directions.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring to crumble the sausage, for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and thoroughly cooked. Drain sausage if needed.
- Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, sage, and red pepper flakes. When the liquid comes to a boil, cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.
- When the penne is done, drain well, and return to the pasta pan.
- Add the tomato sauce and cream to the pasta.
- Stir over low heat for one minute or until warm.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through or pop it in the microwave.
- Serve with parmesan cheese, garlic bread, and a dinner salad.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on August 20th, 2009 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips. Recipe credit from The Complete 15 Minute Gourmet by Paulette Mitchell, made with a few tweaks.
Amanda Davis
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Lynn says
I followed your directions and this was an absolutely delicious dinner for my family! Thank you so much for such an easy recipe. I had everything on hand and even served it with a green salad. This is a keeper and I will be making it again very soon! Easy and enjoyable! Thanks so much!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Lynn! And thank you for the reminder, I haven’t made this in a while!
Dawn M says
This was really good after modifying, but I had to add quite a bit of seasoning because I had to guess how much tomato sauce to use. Did I miss somewhere how much tomato sauce to use (in the instructions to add before the cram)? I guessed one 15oz can and think that was too much since it was very bland without the extra seasonings.
Amanda Formaro says
I’m confused by your comment/question. The recipe states how much to use?
Laura Raymond says
I agree with Dawn M there is not tomato sauce on the recipe that I am reading but added a small can which was perfect.
Amanda Formaro says
The recipe is referring to the sauce that you are creating in this recipe, it’s not referring to canned tomato sauce.
Nicole Reynolds says
If you did so did I? I don’t see any reference to tomato sauce other than to add at the end with cream. It’s not listed as an ingredient or a quantity given.
Can someone plz share what they used or see??
Amanda Formaro says
The reference to the tomato sauce is the sauce that you made in the recipe. Not a can of tomato sauce. It’s the tomato mixture from the recipe.
Elizabeth says
I have made this a dozen times (including right now), it is so easy and beyond yummy! I always use Jimmy Dean Sage sausage. Guess what has been discontinued? I searched the internet for who had what left in stock and luckily I found 16 at one store! Free delivery on first order and next day delivery. My favorite go to recipe lives on… 😁 thanks so much!
Amanda Formaro says
Oh my gosh that’s crazy! So glad you love it, thank you!
Melody Moxley says
Loved this recipe! Was looking for a recipe to use pork sausage from the farmer (I bought 1/4 of a pig, which is now in my freezer). This’s was excellent. I used one can of tomatoes with green chili, and one plain because that was all I had. Gave it a nice kick. I will fix this again. Thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks for the reminder Melody, I haven’t made this in a while so it’s time to cook it up! So glad that you liked it :)
julie juarez says
GIRL!!! What!?”!!*#%@””””” I love this. Eating right this moment! Yummm!
Amanda Formaro says
Haha so glad you liked it Julie! I haven’t made this in a while, thank you for the reminder!
Amincio says
I use Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage for this recipe and it comes out spectacular!
Amanda Formaro says
Sounds excellent!
Amanda says
You are quite welcome Georgia, you will love the book :)
georgiastrick says
what a great recipe. i am purchasing the book and the vegetarian version of the book. thanks for the info!
Amanda says
Hi Anonymous. Sorry I don't have that printer friendly option – one step at a time I always say :) Hopefully I'll get that implemented soon. Meanwhile, you can just copy and paste it into a text file, or if you like, email me and I can do it for you and send it you way.
Anonymous says
Why don't you make this recipe printable?????
Charlotte says
I made this pasta dish last night for dinner and my sweet husband who missed lunch yesterday ate two bowls. He loved it! This is a simple and easy recipe that I will certainly make again for my family.
Thanks for sharing.
Charlotte
pinkstripes says
I love pasta. It's always quick and easy.
Kevin says
I really like using sausage for quick and tasty pastas like this one.
Bunny says
It looks fantastic great Amanda! I tried registering for you other forum but had a heck of a time with the security number-letter thing, I must have tried it 10 times!!LOL!! I'll keep trying though!
Charlotte says
Sounds yummy! I will have to try making this.
One of my very favorite dishes is very similar to this recipe. Only minus the heavy cream and diced tomatoes and instead adds 1 can of chicken broth and sliced black olives and 1 small chopped onion that's added to the Penne pasta and Italian Sausage. This recipe can be found on the food network site listed under Everday Italian Cooking with Gina D.
Chef Fresco says
This looks great – very creamy! I need a 15-minute cookbook!
Ingrid says
I made something very similar last Saturday and it was good so I'm certain yours was as well.
Happy Friday!
~ingrid
Frieda says
This is a must try recipe~ I love a creamy tomato sauce…
Rachel says
This looks wonderful! I could literally eat pasta three times a day!
TNelson says
Long time reader – first time commenter. This looks delicious! I have booked marked it to try.