One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Pasta
Hearty pasta dish with Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and creamy Parmesan finish—all cooked in one skillet. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 1/2 lb (225g), casings removed Italian sausage
- 1 cup (150g), halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (75g) sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne pasta and cook 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil to skillet, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, cooking 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften. Add drained pasta, cooked sausage, and 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss to combine, then stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 One-Pan Sausage & Veggie 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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Sausage & Veggie 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 One-Pan Sausage & Veggie 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 One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Pasta?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.







