One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty one-pot pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage, sweet cherry tomatoes, and penne pasta cooked together for effortless dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs casings removed Italian sausage, olive oil, halved cherry tomatoes 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes to the sausage. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and tomatoes start to soften.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and add 12 oz penne pasta along with 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne with Cherry Tomatoes 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 with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 with Cherry Tomatoes 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 with Cherry Tomatoes?

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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