Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
A vibrant pasta dish where fennel-spiced sausage melds with sweet roasted tomatoes in a simple, aromatic sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, sweet Italian sausage, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 spaghetti
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- for garnish fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb sweet Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
- Step 2: Add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil to skillet. Add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 3 minutes until onion is soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp fennel seeds and 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release juices.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and cooked sausage. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 5: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 6: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with sauce, along with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Step 7: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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 Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta 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 Fennel-Infused Sausage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for impressing date night with minimal effort.
- ★★★★★
My kids actually ate their vegetables for once—the fennel in the sausage was a hit! Roasted tomatoes made it feel fancy without the fuss.
- ★★★★☆
Slightly bland without extra garlic—added a pinch and it transformed the dish!
