One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich tomato sauce infused with fresh basil envelops al dente pasta and savory Italian sausage in a single pot. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 680 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add diced onion to the Dutch oven and cook for 4 minutes until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in crushed tomatoes, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2 more minutes.
  5. Step 5: Add drained pasta, cooked sausage, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss to coat, adding more pasta water if sauce is too thick. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Cook for 1 minute until heated through and sauce clings to pasta.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage?

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-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage?

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 Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage 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 Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes