Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel

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There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of wide, silky pappardelle noodles wrapped in a creamy, spicy sauce. This Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel is everything you want in a cozy weeknight dinner: fast, rich, bold, and filled with flavor. The heat from Calabrian chilies mingles beautifully with the sweet licorice notes of fennel, while crumbles of golden Italian sausage bring it all together.

What makes this pasta dish shine is the perfect balance of spicy and savory. The cream tames the fire of the chilies just enough to keep you coming back for another bite, while the fennel softens and sweetens as it sautés, adding depth to the sauce. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or serving guests, this pappardelle will absolutely impress with its complex, yet simple-to-execute flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle

This recipe brings restaurant-quality Italian comfort straight to your table in under 30 minutes. It doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients, and yet it tastes like something you’d order from your favorite trattoria. The cream and Calabrian chili combo creates a luscious pink sauce with the perfect punch, while fennel and sausage add texture and flavor contrast that keeps every bite exciting.

Even better? It all comes together in one pan (plus a pot for pasta), making cleanup a breeze. It’s a beautiful option for those craving pasta night but wanting something different from the usual red sauce routine.

What Kind of Calabrian Chili Should I Use?

You can find Calabrian chili paste or crushed Calabrian peppers in jars at most well-stocked grocery stores or online. The paste is the easiest to incorporate into sauces, offering both heat and that uniquely smoky-sweet flavor. If using whole crushed peppers, just chop them finely before adding. Adjust the amount based on your heat tolerance, but don’t skip it—it’s the star of this dish.

Ingredients for the Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle

The beauty of this dish lies in how a few key ingredients build layers of flavor. Each one plays an important role in balancing richness, heat, and aromatics.

• Pappardelle pasta
• Italian sausage
• Fennel bulb
• Garlic
• Calabrian chili paste
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Pasta water (reserved)

The pappardelle provides the perfect canvas for the sauce, catching every bit of creaminess in its wide ribbons. Italian sausage delivers a savory bite, while the fennel brings a mellow, aromatic sweetness. Garlic and Calabrian chili paste are essential for boldness, and heavy cream rounds out the heat. A good grating of Parmesan melts into the sauce, adding saltiness and depth.

How To Make the Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pappardelle until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and cook the sausage, breaking it into crumbles until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Fennel & Garlic

Add a bit more oil to the same skillet and sauté thinly sliced fennel until softened and slightly golden. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 4: Stir in Chili & Cream

Add Calabrian chili paste and stir well to coat the fennel. Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, letting it simmer gently for a few minutes.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce coats the pasta perfectly.

Step 6: Finish with Cheese

Turn off the heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

How to Serve and Store Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle

This pasta is best enjoyed immediately, while the sauce is silky and warm. Serve it in shallow bowls with extra Parmesan on top and maybe a sprinkle of chopped fennel fronds if you’ve saved them.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.

This recipe generously feeds 4 people and can stretch to 5 if served with sides.

What to Serve With Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle?

Garlic Bread with Herb Butter

Crunchy and garlicky, this classic side soaks up the extra sauce perfectly.

Simple Arugula Salad

A peppery arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the pasta.

Roasted Broccolini

Adds a bit of char and crunch to balance the creamy sauce.

Burrata with Tomatoes

Keep the Italian theme going with a burrata starter drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.

Grilled Zucchini

A smoky vegetable side that plays well with the heat of the chili.

Red Wine

A glass of Chianti or Nero d’Avola complements the sausage and spice.

Sparkling Water with Citrus

Refresh your palate between bites with fizzy water and a lemon wedge.

Pistachio Cream Cinnamon Rolls

For dessert, consider something sweet yet slightly nutty like these Small Batch Pistachio Cream Cinnamon Rolls【5†source】.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Kick?

If you loved this spicy creamy pasta, you might enjoy exploring these bold, flavor-packed recipes too:

• Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni
• Quick Creamy Cajun Pasta
• Creamy Mushroom Ravioli
• Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
• Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it whenever you’re craving something bold and cozy.

And if you try it, let me know how it turned out! Did you go big on the spice or dial it down? Swap in turkey sausage? I’d love to hear your twist.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinners on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new weeknight favorites.

Conclusion

Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle with Sausage & Fennel is one of those pasta dishes that looks and tastes impressive but is secretly super simple. It’s a go-to for when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort. Spicy, rich, creamy, and comforting—everything pasta night dreams are made of.

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