Creamy Arrabbiata Pasta with Sausage and Burrata
This Penne all’Arrabbiata with ground sausage and burrata is a spicy, creamy twist on a Roman classic. Made with passata, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a touch of heavy cream, it’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Topped with rich burrata and fresh basil, this pasta feels restaurant-worthy but comes together easily at home.
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Simple, bold, and just the right amount of fiery—this Penne all’Arrabbiata is the kind of pasta that begs for seconds. Traditionally from the Lazio region of Italy (Rome, to be exact), Arrabbiata sauce is known for its spicy kick and garlicky depth. My take adds a creamy Wisconsin twist (because honestly, when don’t I add cheese?) with a swirl of heavy cream and a crown of burrata.
CHEERS 🥂 JENN
My oldest, Cait, recently came back from Rome and told me this pasta reminded her of what she had there—which, for me, is all the approval I need to claim this as a proudly Midwestern twist with hints of authenticity.
Despite the long list of spices, this recipe is surprisingly easy: cook the sausage, build the sauce, boil the pasta, and put it all together. It’s decadent, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Skill Level: Moderate – This recipe requires some experience with timing and multiple steps, but all ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
It’s everything you want in a weeknight-meets-special-occasion pasta. The sausage brings richness, the sauce carries heat, the cream softens the spice, and the burrata? Well, it makes the whole dish feel restaurant-worthy without any extra effort.
The Basics of Penne all’Arrabbiata
Making this dish is much like any classic pasta recipe:
- Cook the sausage.
- Build a flavorful, chili-kissed sauce.
- Boil the pasta.
- Toss it all together and let the burrata do its melty magic.
The result? A glossy, creamy, tomato-rich pasta with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Cooking with Kids
DISCLOSURE: Please keep in mind that the following tips are general and are meant to be suggestive. I personally use these strategies with my own kids, who are all unique even within my own family of five. Therefore, please regard these as suggestions or ideas. If you feel that your child requires more or less assistance, then go with what you and your child are comfortable with. Ultimately, you know your child best.
This pasta may have a little heat, but it’s a wonderful dish to make together as a family. If you’ve got kids in the kitchen, here are some safe, simple jobs they can help with:
Cooking together not only makes dinner more fun, but it also teaches kids how flavors come together in a dish. Bonus? They’re way more likely to eat (and enjoy!) the meal when they had a hand in making it.
How to Serve
I love serving this family-style in a wide, shallow pot so everyone can dig in together. But it’s just as easy (and maybe a little fancier) to plate individual portions: a bed of pasta with half a burrata nestled on top, finished with fresh basil.
This recipe serves about 8 adults, making it a wonderful dish for dinner parties, holidays, or when you just want leftovers that actually get better overnight.
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating if you loved it. If you share on Instagram, tag me @cheersjennsmith—I’ll feature your creations in my stories!
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Cheers 🥂,
Jenn
Creamy Arrabbiata Pasta with Sausage and Burrata
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A bold and creamy take on the Italian classic, this Penne all’Arrabbiata is made with ground sausage, garlic, passata, and a good kick of red pepper flakes. Tossed with penne, finished with burrata, and perfect for family-style dining, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta you’ll want to make again and again.
Difficulty:
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Moderate (requires multiple steps, timing coordination, and some experience with pasta and sauce preparation)
Ingredients
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16 ounces penne pasta
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1 lb ground sausage
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2 teaspoons garlic powder
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2 teaspoons onion powder
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon fennel seeds
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2 teaspoons dried oregano
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1 teaspoon dried parsley
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1/2 teaspoon paprika
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2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (more or less, to taste)
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1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste
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1 tablespoon sausage fat (from cooking the meat)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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24 oz passata sauce
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1/4 cup chicken broth
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1/4 cup reserved pasta water
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2 cups arugula (see notes for substitutes)
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1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (see notes for substitutes)
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3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
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16 oz burrata cheese (about 4 balls)
Instructions
- Cook the sausage:
Set a large frying pan over medium heat and cook the sausage thoroughly. Drain off the fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. - Season the meat:
Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, oregano, parsley, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until the sausage is coated in spices. - Build the flavor base:
Return the pan to medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring until fragrant. - Add the veggies:
Stir in the arugula and cherry tomatoes. Cook until the arugula wilts and the tomatoes burst. - Make the sauce:
Add the passata, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes. - Cook the pasta:
Boil the penne according to package instructions. Scoop out ¼ cup of pasta water before draining. - Combine:
Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce and stir. Simmer for another 5 minutes, then add the drained pasta and toss gently to coat. - The burrata moment:
Turn off the heat. Nestle the four burrata balls on top of the pasta, cover with a lid, and let sit for 20 minutes so the burrata gets perfectly soft and creamy.
Notes
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Substitute arugula with spinach, baby arugula, or a mix if preferred.
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Roma tomatoes (chopped) work just as well as cherry tomatoes.
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One serving is approximately 1 portion of pasta plus ½ burrata ball.
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For a less spicy version, reduce red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon.
Tips
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Serve family-style in a shallow pot, or plate individually for a fancier presentation with fresh basil.
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Kids can help with measuring spices, rinsing veggies, or placing the burrata balls on top—making dinner a fun family activity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian, Roman-Inspired, Comfort Food
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