Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
I first made this creamy marry me ditalini sausage pasta on a rainy weeknight and it instantly became the dish I reach for when I want something fast, comforting, and a little special. Small ditalini noodles cling to the rich, tomato-tinted cream sauce and crumbled mild Italian sausage gives every bite satisfying savory flavor. It’s a great weeknight dinner that feels indulgent without fuss — and it’s ready in about 25–30 minutes.
I sometimes pair it with a simple green salad and crusty bread, or go bold and serve it after garlic-roasted chicken for a crowd. If you like creamy pasta but want a different protein, try my take on a similar creamy chicken garlic Parmesan pasta for another weeknight favorite: creamy chicken garlic Parmesan pasta.
What makes this recipe special
This recipe hits a sweet spot: short cook time, pantry-friendly ingredients, and big flavor. Ditalini cooks quickly and picks up the sauce, tomato paste adds concentrated umami and color without acidity, and the heavy cream plus Parmesan makes the sauce silky. It’s mild enough for kids but easily kicked up with red pepper flakes. Make it when you want comfort food that’s more elevated than boxed mac and cheese.
“Simple pantry staples made into a restaurant-worthy weeknight meal — rich, balanced, and quick.” — a regular at my kitchen table
If you prefer a spicier one-pot option, try a bold twist with a one-pot creamy Cajun spin: one-pot creamy Cajun meatball pasta.
Step-by-step overview
- Boil ditalini until al dente and drain.
- Brown the mild Italian sausage in a skillet; remove excess fat.
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Toast tomato paste briefly to deepen its flavor.
- Deglaze with low-sodium chicken broth and simmer to concentrate flavors.
- Lower heat, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until the sauce is glossy.
- Season, add red pepper flakes if you like heat, then fold in the cooked pasta.
- Heat briefly so everything is warmed and coated, then serve with extra Parmesan and herbs.
If you want a similar technique but with pan-seared chicken bites, see this garlic butter chicken bites version: garlic butter chicken bites with creamy Parmesan pasta.
What you’ll need
- 8 oz ditalini pasta
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Notes and substitutions:
- Swap ditalini for small shells, elbow macaroni, or orzo if needed; cooking times vary slightly.
- Use turkey or plant-based sausage for a leaner option — brown and season the same.
- For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half, but expect a thinner texture. Add an extra 2–3 tbsp Parmesan to help thicken.
How to prepare it
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini one minute shy of package directions for al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Add the ground sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Brown until cooked through and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if the skillet is very greasy.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring often; this deepens its flavor.
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let the broth simmer for 3–4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower the heat to gentle and stir in the heavy cream. Add the grated Parmesan and whisk or stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
- Season with kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add the cooked ditalini and stir to coat. Heat everything for 1–2 minutes until piping hot.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley or basil.
For another way to mix protein into creamy pasta, this garlic butter chicken bites recipe can inspire plating and technique: garlic butter chicken bites with creamy pasta.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Plate it shallow in warm bowls so the sauce pools around the pasta. Sprinkle extra grated Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes on top.
- Pair with a bright salad (arugula with lemon vinaigrette) to cut through the richness.
- Serve with warm, crusty bread or garlic bread to sop up the sauce.
- For a heartier meal, top with roasted cherry tomatoes or wilted spinach stirred into the sauce at the end.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigeration: Cool leftovers to room temperature and refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours. Consume within 3–4 days.
- Reheating stovetop: Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce — stir frequently to prevent separation.
- Microwave: Reheat in short 30–45 second bursts, stirring between bursts; add a tablespoon of broth or cream if the sauce seems tight.
- Freezing: Cream-based pasta doesn’t always freeze perfectly — texture can change. If you must freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly, adding a splash of broth and whisking to recombine.
Food safety note: always reheat until steaming hot (165°F / 74°C) and discard any leftovers kept longer than four days.
Pro chef tips
- Toast the tomato paste: Letting the tomato paste cook a minute or two mellows brightness and builds a richer flavor base.
- Control fat: If the sausage releases a lot of fat, drain a portion but leave a tablespoon for flavor.
- Parmesan matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-grated varieties — it melts smoother and tastes fresher.
- Adjust texture: If the sauce becomes too thick after sitting, thin with warm chicken broth, not cold water, to keep it glossy.
- Finish off-heat: Remove the skillet from direct heat when adding Parmesan to prevent graininess; residual heat will melt the cheese.
If you want a baked variation to streamline dinner prep or use a casserole format, my creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta bake has useful tips: creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta bake.
Creative twists
- Spicy sausage: Use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild for more heat.
- Veg-forward: Stir in 2 cups of baby spinach or blanched broccoli florets at the end.
- Mushroom boost: Sauté 8 oz sliced cremini with the onion for earthiness.
- Tomato chunk: Add a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (drained) with the broth for more tomato texture.
- Gluten-free: Swap ditalini for a gluten-free short pasta; cook according to package directions.
- Dairy-free: Use a creamy cashew sauce and nutritional yeast instead of cream and Parmesan for a vegan option (brown sausage substitute).
Common questions
Q: How long does this take to make?
A: Active time is about 20–25 minutes; total including boiling pasta is roughly 25–30 minutes.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a dinner party?
A: You can prepare the components (cook and cool the pasta; brown the sausage; make the sauce separately) a few hours ahead. Recombine and gently reheat with a splash of broth just before serving so the sauce stays silky.
Q: Will the sauce separate if I reheat it?
A: It can if reheated at high heat. Reheat slowly over low heat and add a small splash of broth or cream while stirring to re-emulsify the sauce.
Q: Can I use ground beef or turkey instead of Italian sausage?
A: Yes — browned ground beef is fine, but add 1–2 tsp Italian seasoning or a pinch of fennel to mimic the sausage flavor. Turkey works similarly but is leaner; you may want extra oil for browning.
Q: Is there a low-fat version?
A: Use half-and-half or a light cream alternative and reduce Parmesan slightly. Expect a thinner sauce; thicken slightly with an extra tablespoon of tomato paste or a light roux if needed.
Conclusion
This Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta is a fast, comforting meal that performs like a restaurant plate while using everyday ingredients. It’s flexible, forgiving, and perfect for weeknights or an easy date-night dinner at home.
For an alternate take on the Marry Me pasta concept and inspiration for different flavor balances, see this popular version on Healthyish: Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta – Healthyish Foods.
If you want more background on the original Marry Me Italian sausage pasta and texture variations, this recipe from Salt & Lavender is worth a read: Marry Me Italian Sausage Pasta – Salt & Lavender.
Creamy Marry Me Ditalini Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
- 8 oz ditalini pasta Substitute for small shells, elbow macaroni, or orzo if necessary.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 1 lb mild Italian ground sausage Can swap for turkey or plant-based sausage.
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste Toast briefly to deepen flavor.
- ½ tsp kosher salt Adjust to taste.
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half.
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Use freshly grated for better melting.
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional) For added heat.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini one minute shy of package directions for al dente; drain and set aside.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Add the ground sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Brown until cooked through and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring often to deepen its flavor.
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Lower the heat to gentle and stir in the heavy cream. Add the grated Parmesan and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add the cooked ditalini and stir to coat. Heat for 1–2 minutes until piping hot.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley or basil.
