One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach
Hearty penne pasta cooked with Italian sausage and fresh spinach in a savory tomato sauce, all made in one pot for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, small, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (mild or spicy)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz (1 can) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup, plus more for serving grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 small diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onion is softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 8 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until spinach wilts and cheese melts into the sauce.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning if needed and serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach?
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 Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach?
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 Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach 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 Italian Sausage and Penne Pasta with Spinach?
Italian pasta 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.
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