This Cheesy Sausage Pasta combines cavatappi pasta, Italian sausage, and marinara sauce with melted cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s a flavorful meal that is easy to put together and perfect for a family dinner any night of the week. I also have a Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi you may love!
Sausage Pasta Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
- Pasta: I love cavatappi (corkscrew) pasta because of its twisted spiral shape. It is perfect for holding onto all of the delicious sauce! But, you could use any pasta you have on hand. Or, make homemade shaped pasta to use.
- Meat: You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage. Or, try the dish with ground turkey or chicken sausage, adding seasoning as needed.
- Marinara: My homemade marinara sauce would be delicious in this pasta dish. However, you could use your favorite variety of marinara.
- Cream Cheese: Let the block of cream cheese soften before cutting it into cubes.
- Mozzarella Cheese: I prefer mozzarella cheese for its smooth texture when melted. And, it is mild enough to pair well with various ingredients. You could also use any mild, melty cheese like provolone or Monterey Jack.
- Parmesan Cheese: If possible, use freshly grated parmesan cheese, which has a more pronounced flavor and melts the best. For a sharper taste, you could substitute Pecorino Romano.
Can I Add Vegetables To The Pasta Dish?
Sure! I will sometimes add some sauteed vegetables to this dish to give the nutritional value a boost! Here are some vegetable options:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Zucchini
- Spinach
- Broccoli
You can sauté these vegetables separately before adding them to the pasta, or you can cook them directly in the sauce along with the sausage. Just be mindful of the cooking time for each vegetable to ensure they are cooked to your liking. Feel free to customize the dish with your favorite vegetables for a delicious and nutritious meal!
What To Serve With Cheesy Sausage Pasta
To make this a complete meal, I like to pair the pasta dish with one or two of these side dishes:
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Focaccia Bread
- Focaccia Breadsticks (If you haven’t tried, these yet, you must! They are THAT good…)
- Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts
- Lettuce Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
How To Store Cheesy Sausage Pasta
To store the pasta dish, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Cheesy Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, cubed
- ½ cup (57 g) mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese finely grated, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- To a large skillet over medium heat, add sausage. Cook until no longer pink (8-10 minutes), breaking up the sausage as you go. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- To the skillet with the sausage, add marinara, cream cheese, mozzarella, ¼ cup of parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream cheese is incorporated into the dish.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir to combine. If needed, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water until the dish reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish with the remaining parmesan and parsley.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
The creamy sausage cavatappi was a hit! The combination of marinara sauce and cream cheese created a rich and comforting dish. Loved the cheesy goodness!
Elizabeth
I really enjoyed this pasta dish! When I make it, I am going to use spicy Italian sausage for a bit of a kick to it. This is a deliciously easy dinner to make, too!
Annabelle
Absolutely loved this pasta recipe! The sauce was so creamy and flavorful, and the sausage added a nice savory element. A definite winner for dinner!
Bella
The cream cheese gave the sauce a velvety texture, and the combination of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses was perfect in this pasta dish. Would definitely make it again.
Selena
The creamy sausage cavatappi was a hit at dinner! The marinara sauce added a nice kick, and the cream cheese made the sauce incredibly creamy. The blend of cheeses was fantastic!
