This One-Pot Sausage Pasta is a delicious and satisfying dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes! Tender pasta is combined with flavorful Italian sausage, a rich tomato-based sauce, and a touch of cream for a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: The combination of Italian sausage, a savory tomato sauce, and Parmesan cheese creates a delicious and balanced flavor profile.
- Quick and easy: This recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-pot meal: Less cleanup, more time to enjoy your dinner!
- Versatile: You can easily customize the pasta shape and add different vegetables or herbs to your liking.
Ingredients for One-Pot Sausage Pasta
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying pasta dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For sautéing the sausage and vegetables.
- Italian Sausage: Removed from its casings, if using links.
- Sweet Onion: Adds a savory base and sweetness to the dish.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Adds a blend of herbs for a classic Italian flavor.
- Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Seasonings that enhance the overall taste.
- Tomato Paste: Adds richness and depth to the sauce.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: Creates a flavorful tomato base.
- Rigatoni Pasta: A tubular pasta that holds the sauce well.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Basil Leaves: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
How to Make One-Pot Sausage Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Sausage and Onions
Warm the olive oil in a large nonstick pot over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the sausage into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is browned and cooked through and the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the dried Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Stir in the tomato paste until thoroughly combined. Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce. Add the dry rigatoni pasta and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, stir, cover the pot with a lid, and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 14 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir a couple of times towards the end of the cooking time to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Add the Cream and Cheese
Pour in the heavy cream and warm through for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the pot from the heat and serve the pasta in bowls. Pass freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the table for those who want extra cheese.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Pasta: If you choose to use a different type of pasta, you may need to adjust the cooking time and/or the amount of broth to ensure the pasta cooks properly.
- Sausage: You can use other types of sausage, such as spicy Italian sausage or chicken sausage.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the sauce, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
How to Serve One-Pot Sausage Pasta
- Weeknight dinner: This pasta dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Casual gathering: It’s also a great option for a casual get-together or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover One-Pot Sausage Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the sausage and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cook the pasta and combine with the sauce just before serving.
Can I freeze this recipe?
It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh, as freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the pasta.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Yes, you can add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for One-Pot Sausage Pasta. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintOne-Pot Sausage Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Pasta, One-Pot
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This One Pot Sausage Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor. It features Italian sausage, a creamy tomato sauce, and rigatoni pasta, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed, if using links)
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 12 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta (about 3/4 of a box)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 basil leaves, sliced
Instructions
- Brown Sausage and Onions: Warm oil in a large nonstick pot over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the pot. Add sausage and onion; break up the sausage into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes until sausage is cooked through and onion is tender. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the seasonings and stir to combine. Drain off grease.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste until thoroughly combined.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, marinara sauce, and dry pasta. Mix to combine and bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, give it a stir, cover with a lid, and reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 14 minutes, stirring a couple of times toward the end to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the pasta has absorbed the liquid and is cooked to al dente.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the cream and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, and stir to combine.
- Serve: Remove from the heat. Serve portions in bowls and pass some freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the table.
Notes
- Pasta: If you choose to use a different type of pasta, it may require more or less time and broth to cook thoroughly.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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