One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

A flavorful one-pot dinner where spicy Italian sausage, penne pasta, and tomatoes simmer together for a hearty, comforting meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, casings removed, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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

• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 12 ounces penne pasta, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan if desired.