Creamy Sausage Pasta is a quick 20-minute dinner the whole family will enjoy. With only a handful of ingredients and one pan, it’s ideal for busy weeknights.
This reliable, flavorful dish pairs tender egg noodles with seasoned ground sausage in a rich, creamy sauce. It comes together in about 20 minutes and requires minimal prep and cleanup, making it a perfect weeknight go-to.
Why I love this recipe
- No hard-to-find ingredients — everything is easy to buy.
- One pan makes cleanup fast.
- Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Packed with comforting, savory flavor.
- A family favorite — it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t enjoy it.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, optional for garnish
Step by step
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and brown the ground sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Stir in the onion soup mix, garlic powder, and onion powder to coat the sausage.
- Add the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, releasing the browned bits that add flavor.
- Cut the cream cheese into pieces and add to the pan, stirring until it melts into a smooth sauce.
- Add the egg noodles, stir to combine, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan tightly.
- Simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir in the sour cream just before serving for extra creaminess.
- Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use a large pan with a snug-fitting lid to prevent bubbling over while simmering.
- If you swap in a different pasta shape, follow the package cooking time and adjust liquid as needed.
- Choose mild or spicy sausage to control the heat level, or mix sausages for a balanced flavor.
- Substitute ground beef, turkey, or chicken if you prefer. If you do, taste and increase seasonings as needed to match the sausage’s flavor.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream and swap in whole-wheat or vegetable-based noodles.
- Add quick vegetables like frozen peas, spinach, or diced bell peppers during the last few minutes of simmering for color and extra nutrition.
Creamy Sausage Pasta
- Author: Melissa Riker
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves about 8
Ingredients (detailed)
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions (concise)
- In a large saucepan, brown the ground sausage over medium-high heat until no pink remains.
- Add the dry soup mix, garlic powder, and onion powder; stir to coat the meat.
- Pour in the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until it melts and forms a smooth sauce.
- Stir in the egg noodles, reduce heat to low, and cover tightly.
- Simmer 10–12 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in the sour cream, adjust seasoning to taste, and serve garnished with Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use a pan with a tight lid to avoid spills while simmering.
- When changing pasta shapes, check package directions and add or reduce liquid as needed.
- Boost vegetables by stirring in quick-cooking additions like spinach or peas near the end of cooking.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 1.9 g
- Sodium: 1445.1 mg
- Fat: 31.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.1 g
- Protein: 16.2 g
- Cholesterol: 99.8 mg