One Pot Sausage Pasta
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Say goodbye to multiple pots and hello to a delicious quick and easy meal with this One Pot Sausage Pasta! This game-changing recipe creates an incredibly tasty dish with savory Italian sausage, perfectly cooked tender pasta, and a homemade herby garlicky tomato sauce all cooked together in a single pot!
Easy One Pot Sausage Pasta Recipe
When it comes to cooking, sometimes the simplest dishes are the most delicious and that’s why one-pot meals have taken the culinary world by storm. They not only save precious time in the kitchen but they also deliver a delicious dinner without the hassle of multiple pots and pans. And this easy one pot sausage pasta is the ultimate one pot wonder offering the ideal combination of convenience and incredible flavor!
This effortless recipe is the perfect blend of Italian sausage, tender al dente pasta, and a homemade tomato sauce all cooked to perfection in just one pot. But the secret of one pot pasta lies in how the pasta slowly absorbs all the flavors as it simmers alongside the other ingredients. This simple cooking method was used to create this amazing one pot sausage pasta that is bursting with flavor and destined to quickly become a family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Sausage Pasta
- Super Easy! This recipe is a lifesaver that was designed to be effortless. It requires just a handful of basic ingredients and very little prep time, which makes it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal in a snap!
- Delicious Sausage Pasta! This dish is on a whole new level! As the pasta simmers in the tomato sauce with the savory Italian sausage it absorbs all the flavors creating an unbelievably good pasta dish.
- Ideal Family Meal! Sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters! Most kids love tasty pasta just as much as adults, making this one pot sausage pasta recipe a fantastic choice that the whole family can enjoy.
- Italian Sausage – This key ingredient contributes lots of savory flavor. Feel free to use mild or spicy Italian sausage, depending on your personal preference.
- Onion – Ideally, brown onion adds the most flavor to pasta dishes. Yet, you can use any type of onion you have on hand.
- Garlic – Use freshly minced garlic to achieve the most garlicky good tomato sauce. While jarred garlic can be convenient, it can sometimes have a bitter taste due to preservatives.
- Diced Tomatoes – Adds a little freshness and chunkiness to the sauce. You can use fresh chopped tomatoes, but you will need to add a little more vegetable broth to compensate for the juice.
- Tomato Sauce – Helps to give the sauce a smooth texture while adding some savory tomato flavor. You can also use leftover marinara sauce.
- Pasta – I typically use penne pasta or fusilli pasta, but any bite-size pasta will do the trick!
- Vegetable Broth – A core ingredient that helps to cook the pasta in one pot and infuse it with flavor. I always use low-sodium broth to control the amount of added salt. Chicken broth is another option.
- Dried Herbs – Dried basil and oregano add a layer of classic herby Italian flavor. You can also substitute the dried herbs with fresh basil and fresh oregano.
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used to season the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese – Used to garnish the pasta and give it a delicious cheesy final finish.
This easy recipe is a true time saver! It comes together in just a few simple steps and only requires one pot! Which means no boiling pasta or making a complicated sauce. It’s the definition of simple cooking.
To begin, you need to brown the sausage in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. You shouldn’t need to add any olive oil as the sausage already contains fat. Next, add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Then cook them together with the sausage for about 3 to 4 minutes to soften the onions.
Once you’ve cooked the flavorful sausage, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and uncooked pasta followed by the basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Then stir everything together until it’s well combined.
After you’ve got all the ingredients in the pot, bring the mixture to a boil. Then cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Now, let the pasta simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until it’s fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
To finish the dish, give the pasta a gentle toss to distribute the sausage and sauce. Then serve the hot one pot sausage pasta immediately topped with some freshly grated parmesan cheese and garlic bread if you like!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! I used campanelle pasta here, but any small-shaped pasta would work, such as penne, fusili, rigatoni and farfalle.
How can I make the pasta spicier?
To amp up the heat, you can add some red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra kick.
What can I add to the pasta?
This recipe is fairly versatile. You can add some bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini in with the onions to add some more veggies. Mix some briny olives into the sauce for a Mediterranean twist. Sprinkle the hot finished dish with some shredded mozzarella cheese and cover it with the lid to melt for a layer of cheesy goodness. You could even top it with fresh baby spinach before serving to add a touch of freshness.
Why did my pasta not cook properly?
There could be a few reasons. First, it’s important to use the right ratio of liquid to pasta. Additionally, maintaining a simmer with the lid on is crucial for proper cooking. If the heat is too high or the lid is removed, it can result in dry or undercooked pasta. On the other hand, using too much liquid or cooking the pasta for an extended amount of time can lead to a mushy dish.
Expert Tips
- Accurately measure the ingredients. It’s important to use the correct ratio of pasta to liquid to achieve perfectly cooked pasta with the right consistency and texture.
- Brown the sausage. Take the time to properly brown the sausage slices first before adding the onions and garlic. This will give the one pot sausage pasta more flavor.
- Use a timer. This will prevent you from overcooking the pasta. Remember it will continue to cook a little bit in the sauce even after the pot is removed from heat.
- Watch the salt. The Italian sausage, tomato ingredients, and broth already contain sodium, so keep that in mind when seasoning the dish.
Storage
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container. To reheat, simply mix the sausage pasta with a couple of tablespoons of water to add some moisture, then cover it, and pop it in the microwave for a few minutes on medium power. You can also reheat it in a pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
However, if the pasta is frozen, you need to let it thaw out in the fridge overnight prior to reheating. Keep in mind that freezing often changes the texture of cooked pasta.
Other Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
- Creamy Cajun Pastalaya
- Creamy Sausage Mushroom Pasta
- One Pot Chicken Florentine Gnocchi
- American Goulash
- One Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
- One Pot Sausage Meatball Pasta
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One Pot Sausage Pasta
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, cut into ½ inch pieces)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or fusilli, uncooked)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated, for serving)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the sausage over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pasta, broth, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.
- Simmer the pasta for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. You may have to stir occasionally to make sure the pasta doesn't stick to the pot.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- Sausage: Any type of sausage can be used, but for maximum flavor, try Italian or spicy sausage. If you prefer a lighter version, you can also use turkey sausage.
- Pasta: This recipe works well with any small-shaped pasta. However, timing may vary depending on the pasta used.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add extra veggies such as bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini for added nutrition.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave before serving.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Just let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it up in a pan over medium heat.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
It seems too simple to be so delicious, and the entire family enjoyed it. This is one I’ll put on repeat.
So glad you enjoyed it!
I made this and it came together so quickly and was so amazing, flavorful and filling xx thank you ❤️
My pleasure, so glad you enjoyed it!
So easy to make and so delicious to eat…my husband and I truly enjoyed it. This recipe will be in my rotation! Thanks for posting!
My pleasure, glad you guys enjoyed it!
We made this over the weekend. Delicious! And so easy! Leftovers tonight! Yum!
So glad you enjoyed it!
My husband made this, as I cannot be on my feet for long. It came out fantastic!
So glad you enjoyed it!