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One pot creamy sausage and shells is an easy pot pot pasta recipe with Italian sausage in a delicious tomato cream sauce. This quick and easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights!
This creamy sausage and shells recipe is one of my favorite dinners to make when I don’t have a lot of time to cook. It’s quick, easy, budget friendly and picky eater approved. You can’t ask for more than that!
We love to serve this pasta dish with garlic bread or sourdough bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Why you’ll love this family favorite recipe!
This easy sausage pasta is ready to eat in 30 minutes or less, and you only have one pot to clean.
The sauce is not too heavy, and it’s a nice balance between a tomato sauce and a cream sauce.
Pork sausage is cheaper than chicken or beef, making this a great money-saving meal.
My picky eaters love it, and I hope you will too!
What You Need
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Olive oil
- Onion and garlic — Sub dry minced onion and garlic powder to make it even easier.
- Italian sausage — I typically use sweet Italian sausage, but use hot Italian sausage if you like more heat. Remove the casings before using, or look for ground sausage. Turkey sausage or chicken sausage will also work.
- Spices — Italian seasoning, sea salt or kosher salt and black pepper
- Medium pasta shells — you can use penne or rotini if you can’t find shells
- Marinara sauce — I like the larger jars from Costco for this recipe, but the regular 24-oz jars will work
- Water — to help cook the pasta
- Heavy cream — for the creamy sauce
- Parmesan cheese — for cheesy goodness
How to Make Sausage and Shells
First, you’ll sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Then, brown the meat, and add the spices and pasta, then pour in the sauce and water. Cook until the pasta is almost al dente, then stir in the cream. When pasta is tender, stir in the cheese.
Quick Tips
Be sure to stir the pasta frequently as it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
You can easily cut the recipe in half and cook it in a large skillet.
The sausage you’re using will affect the flavor of the pasta. Taste before serving, to see if it needs more seasoning.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in your fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or on low heat on your stove. You may need to add more sauce or cream, as the pasta absorbs the sauce.
Variations
You can easily change the type of protein. I have made this recipe with ground beef and chicken. You can even make this a meatless meal. I also have an Instant Pot version.
One Pot Creamy Sausage and Shells
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onions
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces medium shell pasta uncooked
- 28 ounces marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley, optional chopped
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large pot until warm, then add the olive oil and onions, and cook until onions are just soft
- Add garlic, and heat until fragrant
- Add the sausage, and cook on medium high heat until no longer pink, crumbling the meat with a spatula, as it cooks.
- Add the Italian seasoning, sea salt, garlic powder and pepper, and cook until sausage is browned
- Stir in the pasta, marinara sauce and water, then cover with lid, and cook until pasta starts to soften, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom
- Remove lid, reduce heat to medium, and stir in heavy cream. Simmer uncovered on medium heat until pasta is al dente. Stir in Parmesan cheese, top with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Saw this on TikTok and finally got around to making it today! It turned out delicious!!
I made this and loved how it turned out. I was surprised at how easy it was for such a great meal, with plenty of leftovers too!
Very delicious, and made in no time at all! Definitely saving this recipe for busy weeknights
This was very easy to make and everyone in my family loved it! It was so hearty and full of flavor, perfect for a cold day.
That’s wonderful, Ann! Thank you so much. 🙂