30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
A quick stovetop pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage and roasted cherry tomatoes for a vibrant, hearty meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, casings removed spicy Italian sausage, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 12 oz, casings removed spicy Italian sausage
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp kosher salt) to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz spicy Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon; cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and season with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Step 5: Add the drained penne and reserved 1/2 cup pasta water to the skillet. Toss with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and thickens, about 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning with remaining 1/2 tsp kosher salt if needed and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover 30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale 30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with 30-Minute Spicy Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
