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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Published: May 23, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2023 by Christy Faber · 22 Comments

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    This Spicy Sausage Pasta is a great choice when you’re entertaining, enjoying a date night at home or any time you want some comfort food. Every bite of creamy pasta provides a hint of tangy Dijon mustard, and smoky-spice from the chipotle peppers and spicy Italian sausages. If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your repertoire, this is it! Delicious!

    Bowl full of pasta with pepper and Italian sausage on top on a staged countertop.

    This recipe is based on a dish my mom makes from time to time. I have many great memories associated with this meal (although my mom's version isn't spicy).  We enjoy it every summer up at the cottage.

    I am the kind of person who has to know what we’ll be eating for dinner and it’s what I look forward to most all day! The formula is simple: delicious food equals JOY.  This creamy pasta dish is in my top 5 favorite dinners of all time!

    Explore more comfort food recipes on the blog: Cauliflower Sausage Soup, Apple Cider Butternut Squash Soup, Cozy Wild Rice Soup, Pumpkin Pie Pecan Bars and Chocolate Orange Pudding Cake.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • How To Make Spicy Sausage Pasta
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe
    • Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • The ultimate comfort food
    • Great at home date night meal!
    • Easily adjust the level of spice in this dish
    • You'll love the leftovers of this recipe for lunch the next day
    • Surprisingly easily to prepare with impressive results
    • A full meal in a bowl: veggies, pasta and protein all in one!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make spicy sausage pasta in bowls, plates and cups on a countertop.
    • Pasta - I recommend buying a spelt pasta for a healthier alternative. I chose a rigatoni shape.
    • White wine - Purchase your favorite white wine for this recipe because it only calls for ½ cup and you'll be able to serve the bottle with your dinner.
    • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce - If you like extra spice and smoky flavor then don't hesitate to add additional chipotle.
    • Red peppers- slice them quite thinly as pictured in the shot above.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Rigatoni Pasta: you can swap this pasta shape for another. You can also swap for a gluten free pasta or whole grain pasta.
    • Sausages: swap spicy Italian sausages for your favorite type of sausage or consider trying chicken sausages which are my favorite!
    • White wine: I haven't tested this but theoretically you could swap the white wine for chicken broth to deglaze the pan. The finished dish just won't be quite as flavorful.
    • Maple syrup: you can swap for honey or sugar of your choice.
    • Optional Addition: Stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste while sautéing the vegetables for a creamy tomato-based sauce.
    • Bump up the heat: Enhance the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with increasing the chipotle in adobo.
    • Veggies: Add a handful of fresh baby spinach for some added nutrition and added color.

    I have not experimented with any other substitutions or alterations for this recipe. If you decide to make any changes by adding or substituting ingredients, I would love it if you could share your results with us by leaving a comment below.

    How To Make Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Here are the step-by-step instructions to make this recipe.

    Step 1: Cook the sausages and set aside.

    Begin by cooking the spicy Italian sausages in a large frying pan until thoroughly cooked. Once done, set them aside on a plate to rest.

    5 cooked, Italian sausages in an enameled pan.

    Step 2: Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions.

    In a large pot, bring water to a boil for the pasta. Remember to heavily salt the water for enhanced flavor. Once the water is boiling, add the dried pasta and cook it to al dente according to the directions on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta, run it under cold water to prevent it from sticking together and set it aside.

    Drained and cooked pasta in a colander  on a countertop.

    Step 3: Chop the veggies.

    While the sausages and pasta are cooking, prepare the onion, red bell peppers, and cremini mushrooms by chopping them into appropriate sizes.

    Chopped red pepper on a cutter board with a large chef's knife beside them.

    Step 4: Cook the onion.

    Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in the same pan used for cooking the sausages. Sauté the diced onion until it turns translucent.

    Sautéed onion in the bottom of an enamel pan.

    Step 5: Deglaze the pan.

    Pour the white wine into the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir for about 1 to 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol and thoroughly deglaze the pan.

    White wine being poured over sautéed onion in an enamel pan from a small dish.

    Step 6: Cook peppers and mushrooms and add all sauce ingredients.

    Add the thinly sliced red bell peppers and the sliced cremini mushrooms to the pan. Cook them for a few minutes until they soften.

    Now, add the heavy cream, grainy Dijon mustard, crushed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and maple syrup. Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste.

    Cream being poured over cooked veggies in an enamel pan from a glass measuring cup.

    Step 7: Reduce the sauce and adjust for seasoning.

    Let the sauce simmer until it reduces and coats the back of a spoon. This takes approximately 15 minutes. Take your time to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning.

    Cream sauce mixed with vegetables in an blue enamel  sauce.

    Step 8: Add the cooked sausages and cooked pasta.

    Slice the cooked sausages into thin coins and add them to the sauce. Add the cooked pasta with the sauce as well, stir until they are evenly coated in the sauce.

    Cream sauce, veggies, sausage mixed together in enamel pan with pasta laid on top.

    Step 9: Garnish and serve

    To finish, sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to add additional spiciness. Serve hot and enjoy!

    Parsley sprinkled over finished spicy sausage pasta in a blue enamel pan with a wooden spoon in it on a staged marble countertop.

    Expert Tips

    • Get organized before beginning the cooking process. If you gather your ingredients and do all of your chopping ahead of time it creates a stress free cooking experience.
    • When adding wine to the pan, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. This adds so much flavor to the sauce!
    • Let the cream sauce simmer gently until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir consistently and avoid the sauce coming to a full boil, which can cause the cream to separate.
    • Cook the pasta to "al dente". The residual heat from the sauce will continue to soften it.
    • Take your time to taste and adjust for seasoning before serving. This step is the difference between a good meal and a great meal.

    Recipe FAQs

    How can I make this recipe less spicy?

    To reduce the spiciness, you can use milder sausages and adjust the amount of chipotle in adobo. Start with a small amount and add more gradually until you reach your desired level of heat.

    Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for the white wine?

    Yes, you can replace white wine with chicken or vegetable broth. It won't have the same depth of flavor, so you may need to add some additional Dijon mustard and chipotle pepper in adobo to compensate.

    Can I omit the maple syrup in this recipe?

    If you want to reduce your sugar intake you can omit the maple syrup from this recipe.

    Bowl full of pasta with pepper and Italian sausage on top an a golden spoon in it on a staged countertop.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Halloumi Stroganoff
    • Creamy Carrot and Parsnip Soup
    • High Protein Cottage Cheese Quiche
    • Spinach, Sun-dried Tomato and Pesto Quiche

    If you tried this Spicy Sausage Pasta or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    Recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Christy Faber
    This Spicy Sausage Pasta is a great choice when you’re entertaining, enjoying a date night at home or any time you want some comfort food. Every bite of creamy pasta provides a hint of tangy Dijon mustard, and smoky-spice from the chipotle peppers and spicy sausages. If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your repertoire, this is it! Delicious!
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 578 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4-5 (500g) sausages spicy Italian sausage
    • 200g rigatoni pasta uncooked
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 onion diced
    • ½ cup white wine
    • 2 red bell peppers thinly sliced
    • 250 grams cremini mushroom diced
    • 1 ½ cup heavy cream 36%
    • 2 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
    • 2 ½ tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce smashed with the back of a fork
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 tbsp tomato paste optional

    Garnish

    • sprinkle of fresh parsley optional
    • sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes optional

    Instructions
     

    • In a large frying pan, cook the sausages thoroughly and set aside on a plate to rest.
    • In a large pot, bring heavily salted water to a boil for the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the dried pasta and cook it to al dente according to the directions on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta, run it under cold water to prevent it from sticking together and set it aside.
    • Meanwhile, prepare and chop the onion, peppers and mushrooms.
    • Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in the same pan used for cooking the sausages. Sauté the diced onion until it turns translucent.
    • Pour the white wine into the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir for about 1 to 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol and thoroughly deglaze the pan.
    • Add the thinly sliced red bell peppers and the sliced cremini mushrooms to the pan. Cook them for a few minutes until they soften.
    • Now, add the heavy cream, grainy Dijon mustard, crushed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and maple syrup and tomato paste if using. Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to your taste.
    • Let the sauce simmer until it reduces and coats the back of a spoon. This takes approximately 15 minutes. Take your time to taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning.
    • Slice the cooked sausages into thin coins and add them to the sauce. Add the cooked pasta with the sauce as well, stir until they are evenly coated in the sauce.
    • To finish, sprinkle the dish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to add additional spiciness. Serve hot and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Get organized before beginning the cooking process. If you gather your ingredients and do all of your chopping ahead of time it creates a stress free cooking experience.
    • When adding wine to the pan, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. This adds so much flavor to the sauce!
    • Let the cream sauce simmer gently until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir consistently and avoid the sauce coming to a full boil, which can cause the cream to separate.
    • Cook the pasta to "al dente". The residual heat from the sauce will continue to soften it.
    • Take your time to taste and adjust for seasoning before serving. This step is the difference between a good meal and a great meal.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 578kcalCarbohydrates: 31.6gProtein: 19.7gFat: 40.1gSaturated Fat: 15.2gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 892mgPotassium: 356mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 5.9gCalcium: 103mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you make this recipe please leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! I aim to respond to every single comment. I am so grateful when you trust me and try one of my recipe creations in your own kitchen. I love to hear how it went!  Let’s connect on Instagram and tag me in your food pics!

    ‘Til next time,

    Christy

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren says

      October 06, 2023 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious! So tasty and filling too. The dijon mustard was such a good add! It was a hit at my house 🙂

      Reply
    2. Beck Simms says

      April 07, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      This was fantastic. Made it tonight and the family loved it. I googled sausage, pepper and mushroom recipes, found this and tried it. Yum

      Reply
    3. Rachel says

      November 17, 2022 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed this for dinner tonight. The instructions were super easy to follow and the flavour of everything was lovely! Thank you. Will definetly make again!

      Reply
    4. Meg Lowrie says

      December 02, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      The only thing better than this pasta dish is the left overs the next day. Sooo delicious. I did 1/4 of the mushrooms called for but did everything else as is. An instant classic!

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        February 02, 2022 at 10:07 am

        Thank you so much for your kind comment! I love the leftovers from this dish too!

        Reply
    5. Wendy Rush says

      July 05, 2021 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars

      This meal was absolutely delicious and I plan to share it with all my family and friends! It was so easy to follow the recipe and I will definitely make this again. And it was great as a cold pasta salad the next day! Thank you, Christy!

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        July 07, 2021 at 4:13 pm

        Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed it, it's great to hear the feedback! I'm glad to hear that it was easy to follow as well!

        Reply
    6. Kathryn says

      June 08, 2021 at 3:25 am

      5 stars
      Wow! Made this today for supper and it was amazing. Also the smell of the white wine cooking was unreal!

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 08, 2021 at 6:34 pm

        One of the best kitchen smells!

        Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 08, 2021 at 6:35 pm

        Thanks for trying the recipe! One of the best kitchen smells!

        Reply
    7. Adrian F says

      June 07, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a full dish to share with my housemates, and ended up trying this. It turned out so well, we all loved it!! The sausage with mushrooms and peppers, as well as with the creamy sauce, all came together really nicely.

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:35 pm

        So fun to share this meal with friends! Thank you for the kind comment.

        Reply
    8. Stephanie says

      June 01, 2021 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I are both HUGE fans of sausage and penne dishes and we have done so many variations with those ingredients - but now I know we'll HAVE to try this one because it sounds amazing. In fact, my husband was in the room while I was reading your post and I gave him the recipe notes and he thoroughly agreed. We'll be testing this out ASAP!

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:42 pm

        Oh so kind! This is such a great date night recipe. Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. LaRena Fry says

      June 01, 2021 at 7:16 am

      5 stars
      Looks and sounds fantastic. So easy to make gluten-free too. I will just use gluten-free pasta. YAY

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        Yes exactly! Great idea. Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Headphonesthoughts says

      May 31, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I would love to try out this recipe.

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:43 pm

        Thank you! I hope you get a chance to try it!

        Reply
    11. Amber says

      May 26, 2021 at 10:01 pm

      This looks heavenly! I’m looking forward to the day I can host a friend or some family again for dinner, but for now, I may plan to make this for an at-home date night on Friday night ❤️

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        So dreamy to make this for date night while sipping on some of the left over white wine! I am also looking forward to the day when we can host dinner again!

        Reply
    12. Greg - Year of the dad says

      May 25, 2021 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      This looks awesome! I love the idea of sausage and mushrooms. I typically would do mushrooms with some steak and honestly have never thought of combining it with sausage.

      Reply
      • Christy Faber says

        June 07, 2021 at 5:46 pm

        Yea! You gotta try it!

        Reply
    5 from 14 votes

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    Welcome,

    I’m Christy

    a happy wife and mother to three boys, a nutritionist, a food lover and a Canadian. Creating and experimenting in the kitchen is my idea of an afternoon well spent. To me, a clean kitchen is an empty canvas of possibility and that means my kitchen never stays clean for long. My dream is that one or more of the recipes I share here will inspire you, perhaps even becoming a cherished family favourite.

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