Pasta con Salsiccia (Pasta with Italian Sausage)

Pasta con salsiccia brings together the savoury richness of Italian pork sausage with a straightforward tomato sauce sharpened by white wine, garlic and a little chilli. It is the kind of Italian pasta dish that works because the sausage seasons the sauce as it cooks, giving depth without needing a long simmer. Rigatoni is a particularly good match, catching the chunky, glossy sauce in its ridges and tubes, while Parmesan adds a final salty, umami finish. Hearty enough for dinner but still simple to make, it is easy to adapt with a different pasta shape or a stock-based sauce if you prefer to avoid wine.
Cuisine style Italian home-style pasta
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered savoury flavour: Browning the sausage first builds a rich base before the tomato, wine, garlic and onion are simmered together.
  • Balanced sauce: Tomatoes and white wine keep the sausage sauce bright enough to avoid feeling heavy.
  • Straightforward method: The sauce comes together in one pan while the pasta cooks, with no specialist technique required.

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Ingredient notes

  • Choose a well-seasoned sausage: Italian pork sausage provides much of the seasoning, so its flavour will shape the finished sauce.
  • Balance the tomato: If the sauce tastes sharp, let it simmer a little longer before adjusting the seasoning.
  • Use the right pasta shape: Rigatoni works especially well because the sauce clings to the ridges and settles inside the tubes.

Adjust the heat

  • For a gentler sauce: Reduce or omit the chilli flakes, especially if using a spicy Italian sausage.
  • For more warmth: Increase the chilli flakes slightly or choose a hot Italian sausage for a more assertive finish.

Texture tips

  • Toss for a glossy finish: Finish the pasta in the pan with the sauce and a splash of pasta water if needed, so the sauce coats the rigatoni evenly.
  • Let the sauce reduce: Keep the tomato sauce at a gentle simmer until it thickens enough to cling to the pasta.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the sauce in advance: The sausage and tomato sauce can be cooked ahead and refrigerated, then reheated while the pasta boils.
  • Reheat gently: Warm leftovers in a frying pan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot.
  • Freezer-friendly sauce: The cooked sauce freezes well; for the best texture, cook fresh pasta when serving.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Put a large pot of water on to boil and season it well with 1 tsp of the fine sea salt. Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the onion, and peel and thinly slice the garlic.
  2. Warm the extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of the remaining salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring regularly.
  3. Stir in the garlic and chili flakes and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Add the Italian pork sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  4. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the dry white wine and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  5. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices, crushing them with a spoon as they go in. Simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes until slightly thickened, then season with the remaining fine sea salt and the black pepper.
  6. Cook the rigatoni in the boiling water until al dente, following the packet timing. Drain well, reserving a small splash of the cooking water if you need to loosen the sauce.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until well coated and glossy. Take off the heat, grate in most of the Parmesan and toss again, then serve with the remaining Parmesan on top.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer so it thickens without catching; stir occasionally, especially once the tomatoes are in.
  • For a silkier finish, toss the pasta in the pan for the final minute and add a splash of the pasta water if the sauce looks tight.
  • If serving pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, ensure the sausage is cooked through and piping hot before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace rigatoni with egg pasta nest for a softer, more delicate texture.
  • Replace Parmesan with grana-padano-cheese for a slightly milder, sweeter finish.
  • Replace dry White Wine with chicken stock for an alcohol-free sauce.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a frying pan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot; freeze for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Pasta con Salsiccia (Pasta with Italian Sausage)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 40min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Milk Wheat
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly

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