One-Pot Italian Sausage Pasta

Exactly what it says: one pot only! It’s quick and delicious with some simple pantry ingredients. This is really easy. Like, really.

This is great to keep in your rotation and hard to beat on a busy night. And we’re cooking the pasta right in the sauce, so there really is only one pot.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Use a Dutch oven or a large pot with a heavy bottom that won’t burn (since we are cooking this for 30 minutes). The fire roasted tomatoes are worth paying a little extra for to give the sauce more flavor. But regular diced tomatoes will still work.

The spinach wilts down to almost nothing. But if your kids don’t like spinach, you can always set some sauce aside without it. Or, if your family prefers broccoli, you can make my sausage broccoli pasta – but be warned, it uses two pots!

This makes 6 servings. If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. But you’ll need two pots (or a really big one).

Equipment

• Large pot

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage if using links, casings removed
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 2 cloves
• ½ medium onion chopped
• ½ large carrot grated
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 2 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
• 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
• 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach coarsely chopped
• 3 cups rotini pasta or fusilli, penne, elbow
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan divided

Optional Garnish

• fresh basil leaves

How to Make One-Pot Sausage Pasta

Step One: Cook The Sausage First

Get your big pot going on medium heat with a tablespoon of oil. Toss in that sausage and break it up with your wooden spoon – really go at it until it’s all crumbly and brown. This takes about 8-10 minutes. Then throw in the oregano and garlic for just a minute more. Scoop it all out onto a plate and set aside.

Step Two: Now For The Sauce

Add another tablespoon of oil to that same pot. Toss in your chopped onion and grated carrot. Let them cook for 5-7 minutes until the onion looks see-through. Add your thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and spinach. Put that sausage back in and bring the whole thing to a boil.

Step Three: Time for Pasta

Stir in your rotini, pop a lid on it, and let it cook for 10-14 minutes. You want to stir it every few minutes so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. Test a piece – cook it however you like it.

Step Four: Finish It Off

Mix in most of that Parmesan (save some for serving). Add some fresh basil if you’ve got it and serve it up hot. Add the rest of the cheese on top when serving.

Serving & Storing

Serve with extra Parmesan and some Italian sesame rolls to soak up every bit of sauce.

This pasta keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating it, add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened up.

Make It Your Own

Change the meat, the veggies, or the pasta.

• Swap in hot Italian sausage or turkey sausage
• Try kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach
• Add mushrooms with the onions
• Stir in a splash of cream at the end for a richer sauce
• Use different short pasta shapes like bowties or shells

More Easy Pasta Recipes

• This chicken and spinach pasta has a creamy sauce and also uses one pan (okay there’s a second pot for the pasta this time).
• Shrimp and sausage come together for a spicy, creamy Cajun pasta.
• A rotisserie chicken and some jarred Alfredo sauce make this chicken bacon ranch pasta bake super easy!
• You can’t get easier than this slow cooker baked ziti – just layer and you’re done!

Printable Recipe