If you love the satisfying combination of rich creaminess and hearty sausage, you are absolutely going to adore this Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe. It’s a luscious dish that brings together tender gemelli pasta twirls coated in a velvety sauce, filled with savory Italian sausage, mushrooms, and a touch of fresh thyme. Each bite bursts with flavor, from the gentle heat of crushed red pepper flakes to the comforting aroma of nutmeg and white wine reduction. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing friends at a casual gathering, this recipe feels like a warm kitchen hug on a plate that’s accessible and downright delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward, quality ingredients, each playing a vital role in crafting layers of flavor and texture. From the earthy mushrooms to the creamy heavy cream, every element contributes to a perfectly balanced pasta that’s both hearty and silky.
- 1 pound bulk mild Italian Sausage: Adds savory depth and a slightly spiced, meaty richness that forms the base of the dish.
- 2 small shallots, finely diced: Bring a subtle sweetness and delicate onion flavor to soften the sausage’s intensity.
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms: Introduce an earthy, umami note while adding a pleasant tender bite.
- 1 ½ cups dry white wine: Used to deglaze and reduce, infusing the sauce with vibrant acidity to cut through the richness.
- 1 bay leaf: Provides a subtle herbal hint that deepens the overall aroma.
- 12 ounces dry gemelli pasta: Or any medium-shaped pasta; its twisted shape holds onto the creamy sauce beautifully.
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream: The star of creaminess, ensuring each pasta strand is luxuriously coated.
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves: Adds bright, fragrant herbaceous notes that lighten the richness.
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: Gives a gentle kick to balance the creamy sauce; add more to taste.
- Pinch nutmeg (optional): A tiny touch to amplify warmth and complexity in the sauce.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For serving, bringing sharp, salty, and nutty flavors that elevate the entire dish.
How to Make Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating a dutch oven over medium heat and adding the bulk mild Italian sausage. Cook it until it’s lightly browned but not fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. This gentle browning releases those wonderful meaty flavors. Then, stir in the finely diced shallots and sliced mushrooms. Cook everything together until the shallots are translucent and mushrooms are tender, and the sausage is fully cooked through. This step creates a flavorful foundation for the sauce.
Step 2: Deglaze with White Wine and Simmer
Next, pour in the dry white wine and toss in the bay leaf. Let the mixture simmer until the wine has reduced by about half, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This slow reduction intensifies the flavor and cooks off the alcohol, leaving behind a slightly tangy and aromatic base that complements the sausage perfectly. The bay leaf infuses subtle depth without overpowering the dish.
Step 3: Cook the Gemelli Pasta
While the wine is reducing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook your gemelli pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to reserve about one-third of a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. This starchy liquid will come in handy to loosen the sauce later if it gets too thick. Once cooked, set the pasta aside but keep it warm.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce and Combine
Remove the bay leaf from the reduction, then stir in the heavy cream, fresh thyme leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of nutmeg if you’re using it. Let this mixture cook for 5 to 7 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Now, fold in the drained gemelli pasta and gently toss to coat every piece in the creamy sausage sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, simply add the reserved pasta water little by little until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Serve with Parmesan and Extra Heat
Dish out your creamy masterpiece and generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. For those who love a bit more spice, add extra crushed red pepper flakes to taste. This final touch creates a perfect balance of creaminess, savory sausage, and just the right amount of heat.
How to Serve Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe even more inviting, pepper it with fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or more thyme leaves right before serving. These add a pop of green color and fresh brightness. A drizzle of good-quality olive oil can also enhance the silky texture and add a subtle fruity note. Plenty of freshly ground black pepper helps awaken all the flavors on the plate.
Side Dishes
Since the pasta is rich and flavorful, lighter side dishes work best. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the creamy sauce perfectly, cutting through the richness. Roasted or steamed seasonal vegetables, like asparagus or green beans, provide nice textural contrast. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is ideal for mopping up every last bit of that heavenly sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fresh twist, serve the pasta in shallow bowls and top with a handful of toasted walnuts or pine nuts for crunch. Alternatively, adding sautéed baby spinach or kale just before serving can bring vibrant color and extra nutrients. For a cozy, family-style presentation, serve the dutch oven directly at the table, so everyone can help themselves to this comforting Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld even more after resting, making it a perfect next-day meal. Just make sure to cool it completely before storing to maintain freshness.
Freezing
If you want to save this dish for longer, freezing is an option. However, because of the cream sauce, texture might slightly change. Freeze the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When thawing, do so overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the pasta gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce as needed. Microwave reheating works too, but stirring every minute helps prevent the cream from separating. Either way, your leftover pasta will taste just as comforting as freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use spicy sausage instead of mild Italian sausage?
Absolutely! Swapping in spicy sausage will add an extra punch of heat that pairs nicely with the creamy sauce. Just adjust the red pepper flakes accordingly if you want a milder dish.
What can I use if I don’t have gemelli pasta?
Any medium-shaped pasta like fusilli, rotini, or penne is a great substitute. These shapes have plenty of nooks and crannies perfect for holding onto the creamy sauce.
Is there a way to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream alternative, and use a vegan Parmesan cheese substitute. The flavor will be different but still delicious and creamy.
How do you prevent the cream sauce from breaking?
Cook the sauce gently over medium to low heat and avoid boiling once the cream is added. Adding the cream gradually and stirring often helps maintain a smooth texture without breaking.
Can I prep any part of the Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe ahead of time?
You can cook the sausage, shallots, and mushrooms in advance and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, simply reheat and continue with the wine reduction and adding cream to save some time.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe enough if you’re looking for a dinner that feels both indulgent and genuinely satisfying without a complicated ingredient list. It’s the kind of meal that brings joy and comfort with every forkful, perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself after a busy day. Give it a try—you might just have found your new weeknight favorite!
Print
Creamy Sausage Gemelli Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This creamy sausage gemelli pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring mild Italian sausage, sautéed shallots and mushrooms, and a rich white wine and cream sauce. Perfectly cooked gemelli pasta is tossed in the savory sauce infused with fresh thyme and a hint of crushed red pepper for subtle heat, finished with grated Parmesan cheese for a deliciously indulgent meal ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
- 2 small shallots, finely diced
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
Sauce
- 1 ½ cups dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for serving
- Pinch nutmeg (optional)
Pasta
- 12 ounces dry gemelli pasta (or any medium shape pasta)
To Serve
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bulk mild Italian sausage and cook until lightly browned but not fully cooked, stirring frequently to crumble the meat. Add the diced shallots and sliced mushrooms and cook until the shallots are translucent, mushrooms are softened, and the sausage is fully cooked through.
- Reduce Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and add the bay leaf to the pan. Continue cooking over medium heat until the liquid reduces by half, about 15-20 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Prepare Pasta: While the wine is reducing, cook the gemelli pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve ⅓ cup of the pasta cooking liquid, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make Cream Sauce: Stir the heavy cream, fresh thyme leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and optional pinch of nutmeg into the sausage and wine mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked gemelli pasta to the creamy sausage sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine and heat everything through evenly. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out gradually by adding the reserved pasta cooking liquid one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Plate the creamy sausage gemelli pasta and garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese and additional crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Notes
- You can substitute gemelli with other medium pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for best flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency; it helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
