Creamy Shell Pasta with Sausage Recipe (2024)

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We are currently going through a mini ‘cold front’ here in New England. A few days of bone-chilling single-digit weather. I guess that’s the price I’m more than willing to pay for heading to the Super Bowl 3 straight years in a row. On cold winter nights like this, what’s better than a creamy pasta sauce that will stick to your ribs and warm you right up?

Creamy shell pasta with ground sausage is like a creamier sausage-based spin on classic rigatoni bolognese recipe or jumbo stuffed shells. It’s super-rich, filling, and screams comfort food. The ingredients alone are simple, and it’s even easier to bring together in about 30 minutes.

If you enjoyed this recipe, also try my easy baked ziti, skillet lasagna, and simple creamy gnocchi recipe!

Creamy Meat Sauce

The dish features pasta shells with a simplemakeshift “homemade” marinara-based cream sauce, doctored up with fresh basil, garlic, onion, white wine (if you have it on hand) and cream. Yes, it’s all about that creamy pasta sauce.

If you’re looking for a solid marinara, I really like Rao’s marinara sauce. Or use something similar without too many add on flavors like cheese, basil, or garlic. We’ll add those on our own!

I went with a combo of ground sweet and spicy Italian sausage to give the dish a touch of heat. You can use all sweet Italian sausage if you don’t want any spice. It’s warming without being overbearing. Unlike your typical beef sauce, the Italian sausage brings so much more flavor to the table (no pun intended). I think it makes an otherwise simple dish a touch fancier.

Can I make This Dairy-Free?

This dish is otherwise dairy-free if you don’t use cream or serve with Parmesan cheese. I’ve substituted a simple homemade cashew cream in its place and you CANNOT taste the difference. Pair with a solid red wine (or maybe the white you just opened), and you’ve got yourself a fancy date-night worthy pasta dish.

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