Description
This One-Pot Sausage Pasta recipe is a comforting and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Italian sausage is browned and cooked with onions and garlic then combined with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pasta, and vegetable broth. Simmered together to meld flavors, this hearty dish is ready in just 45 minutes and requires minimal cleanup. It can be optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Pasta
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli, or similar), uncooked
Liquids and Seasoning
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Serving
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the sausage pieces over medium-high heat until they are fully cooked and slightly caramelized. This step develops flavor and is crucial to the dish.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the sausage. Cook them together until the onions have softened and become translucent, releasing their aroma.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, uncooked pasta, vegetable broth, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to combine evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the entire mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Serve: Spoon the hot sausage pasta into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for a delicious, filling meal.
Notes
- You can use either mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Try penne, fusilli, or other similarly shaped pasta for even cooking.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking and burning.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth or beef broth if not vegetarian.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
