Make this 30 minute, one pot pasta recipe for a fast dinner that is saucy, meaty, and flavorful, all with barely any cleanup!
Weeknight Pasta is Easy to Love Because …
- Savory sausage, juicy fresh tomatoes, and tender pasta, simmer together in robust beef broth, with tangy Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts add texture and crunch.
- Use pre-sliced sausage, jarred garlic, pre-shredded cheese, canned tomatoes, and store bought broth for quick and easy prep.
- This weeknight pasta dinner is delicious served with sides like herb garlic bread or a fennel salad.
- One pot sausage pasta stretches just a pound of sausage for a budget friendly meal that can feed six people easily.
Ingredient Notes
- Protein: Choose mild or spicy Italian sauce. Slice sausage into coins with the casings on or remove casings. Brown sausage well and retain the drippings for deeper flavor.
- Sauce: Beef broth adds delicious rich flavor and depth, while fresh chopped or halved grape or cherry tomatoes have the best sweetness and texture. Canned diced tomatoes make a great substitute. The seasonings bring added flavor to the sauce, and the chili flakes bring a nice touch of heat.
- Pasta: Any long pasta noodle work and will absorb the sauce well. Be aware the cook time will vary depending on the type.
- Cheese: Freshly shredded parmesan from a block is best because it melts into a creamy, savory, and delicious cheesy finish.
- Flavor And Texture: Pine nuts are toasted for crunch and nutty flavor, but they can be swapped for slivered almonds or walnuts. Fresh basil and parsley makes the dish vibrant and bright.
Variations
- Swap Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Sub in chicken or vegetable broth if no beef broth is available.
- Turn it into a pizza pasta with favorite toppings like pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella, and oregano.
- Experiment with other seasonings such as Italian, Tex-Mex, Greek, Cajun or your own blend.
- Stir in spinach or kale at the end for added greens with more nutrition.
How to Make One Pot Pasta
- Brown the sausage and stir in the remaining sauce ingredients (full recipe below).
- Bring to a boil, add pasta, and cook until tender.
- Toss in Parmesan, pine nuts, basil, and parsley (if using).
- Serve hot with extra cheese.
Pro Tips for This One Pot Pasta Recipe
- Use long pasta instead of bulky shapes, which might not cook completely. Break long pasta in half if your pot is smaller.
- Stir frequently so the long pasta does not stick together and cooks evenly.
- Add extra broth if the pot looks dry before the pasta is done. For a creamier texture, add a splash of heavy cream or extra Parmesan.
Storage And Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat on low heat on the stove or microwave. Loosen thickened leftovers with a splash of broth when reheating.
I do not recommend freezing pasta because it will become too soft when it thaws.
More Delicious Weeknight Dinners
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One Pot Pasta
Make this cozy weeknight recipe loaded with sausage, tomatoes, and parmesan for a quick, family-friendly meal.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage sliced (or ground)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 4 cups chopped tomatoes or halved grape tomatoes, about 1½ -1¾ pounds
- ½ onion diced, about ½ cup
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine or fettuccine
- 1½ cups freshly shredded parmesan cheese divided
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted
- ½ cup basil leaves chiffonade or finely sliced, about 15-20 leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot on medium high heat, brown sausage, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add broth, tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, pepper flakes, and pepper and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil and add pasta. Refer to pasta package directions for cook time*. Once the liquid starts to boil again, reduce heat to a simmer. Stir constantly until pasta is submerged. Simmer until pasta is cooked, stirring often.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat. Add 1 cup of the Parmesan, pine nuts, and basil to the pasta and stir to combine.
- Serve and sprinkle with remaining cheese and parsley if using.
Notes
- *cooking estimates: 8 minutes for spaghetti, 10 minutes for linguini, and 11 minutes for fettuccine.
- If desired, add more garlic.
- Refrigerate leftover cheesy one-pot pasta in a covered container for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
- Reheat over low heat on the stovetop.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 699 | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 2209mg | Potassium: 854mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 619IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 319mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Easy and so good. (OZL family member)