One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A rich and creamy tomato basil pasta cooked all in one pot with savory Italian sausage, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, casings removed, yellow onion, finely diced, and garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 620 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, canned
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 12 oz uncooked penne pasta
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large Dutch oven or deep skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium finely diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juice, 3 cups chicken broth, 12 oz uncooked penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately.