Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage
Looking for a fast dinner idea with less than five ingredients? Using a sauce mix helps turn pasta and sausage into a creamy and delicious meal.
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted September 30, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Looking for a fast dinner idea with less than five ingredients? Using a sauce mix helps turn pasta and sausage into a creamy and delicious meal.
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Ingredients 5
1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
0.5 pound ground sausage
1 (1.2 ounce) package creamy pesto sauce mix (such as Knorr®)
1 cup milk
0.25 cup olive oil
Instructions
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1
Get a large pot of lightly salted water boiling. Cook penne at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain and transfer pasta to a bowl.
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2
Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; add to pasta.
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3
In a small saucepan, whisk the pesto sauce mix, milk, and olive oil together and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and keep at a simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes; pour over pasta and sausage mixture and toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
Amount Per Serving
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Calories 1455 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 62g
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Saturated Fat 16g
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Cholesterol 75mg
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Sodium 2151mg
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Total Carbohydrate 177g
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Dietary Fiber 8g
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Protein 52g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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