One-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake
A comforting one-pot pasta dish loaded with savory sausage, tender spinach, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs casings removed Italian sausage, olive oil, medium, diced yellow 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 10 oz uncooked penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 10 oz uncooked penne pasta, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup tomato sauce, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed.
- Step 5: Fold in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach leaves, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake?
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-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake 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-Pot Cheesy Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake?
Italian 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.
