One pot cheesy sausage pasta is a decadent and rich one-pot meal, full of melty cheese and bites of summer sausage, and perfect for an easy meal at home when you don't want a lot of cleanup!
One Pot Cheesy Sausage Pasta
If you're not on the one pot meal train yet, hop right on, friend! One pot meals are glorious life savers because they require little prep, easy cooking, and hardly any cleanup. Since my time is limited between raising 5 little ones and running my blog, convenience is practically my middle name. And I know I'm not the only one out there who's busy and just needs a simple, wholesome meal most nights of the week! Can I get an amen?
The thing that I just love about this pasta dish is it's so rich and hearty, and you can customize it as much as you'd like. If you're not a fan of cooked spinach, use peas or chopped zucchini instead! Throw in any cheese that melts well and that you prefer if cheddar's not your style, and you can use whatever cut of pasta or any type of sausage that you love. It's truly a one pot wonder that you can make your own, and that's something to celebrate!
Can you boil pasta in a skillet?
Normally, I wouldn't advise cooking pasta in a skilled unless it's a one pot meal like this. It's more shallow and fits less pasta, and it's hard to drain from a skillet, which is why most people prefer to use a pot instead. But since you're not draining the pasta in this recipe, skillet cook away!
How do you cook pasta without draining water?
Doing a one pot pasta is the only way I know of that you can cook pasta without draining water. The water and other liquid cook the pasta and then cook down into a nice, thick sauce, so draining it isn't necessary here.
Can you put basil in pasta?
You can! That would be incredible in this recipe. I love, love, love fresh herbs, and basil or any other green herbs would go great in this. Add them the same time you'd add the spinach.
How long does one pot cheesy sausage pasta last for?
If you have leftovers, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. This is a great dish to make two batches of and keep one in the freezer (for up to 2 months) to have a full meal ready to go later on.
One Pot Cheesy Sausage Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
One pot cheesy sausage pasta is a decadent and rich one-pot meal, full of melty cheese and bites of summer sausage, and perfect for an easy meal at home when you don't want a lot of cleanup!
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked summer sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice) (14.5 ounce)
- ½ cup water
- 8 ounces dry pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheese, like cheddar or cheddar-jack
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 cup (or a handful) fresh baby spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet (one with a lid) over medium to medium-high heat, and add the smoked sausage. Saute until browned well -- if you need a little oil because it starts to stick, add a drizzle. Remove from the pan, and set aside.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and onion. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the broth, and scrape the pan to loosen any browned bits.
- Add the diced tomatoes, water, dry pasta, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine well.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, add the lid, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded cheese, red pepper flakes if using, and the spinach. Stir to combine until the cheese is melted.
- Return the sausage to the pan and stir to combine.
- Serve right away!
Notes
- You have so much flexibility with this dish. Don't love cooked spinach? Toss in peas! You can also add different kinds of cheese or use different shaped pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: dinner
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: easy dinner, sausage, pasta, skillet dinner
Other one skillet meals you'll love:
- Skillet Taco Pasta made with ground beef
- Easy Chicken Skillet Nachos
- One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- The Best One Pot Baked Ziti
- One Pot Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- Healthy One Pot Quinoa Taco Casserole
- One Pot Pasta Primavera
- Creamy One Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Farmstand One Pot Wonder
- One-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinner
Cheesy, hearty, and packed full of veggies and summer sausage, this one pot cheesy sausage pasta is the perfect simple weeknight meal that everyone will love!
Stephanie
Pretty good. Might be a bit too cheesy if you can believe that! I also used diced tomatoes with green chilies for a little kick.
★★★
Marie
It's a nice idea, but your recipe needs to be more specific in areas. Should the water have been evaporated by the end of the 15 minutes? If not, how much water should be left? How thick should the sausages be cut?
★★★
Melanie Elison
What size can for the diced tomatoes?
Melissa
It'll be the 14-15 ounce can!