One-Pot Italian Sausage and Penne with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A hearty one-pot meal combining spicy Italian sausage with tender penne pasta and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. This Italian-inspired meal-prep recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage links, penne pasta, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds Italian sausage links
12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium, diced yellow onion
4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
4 cups chicken broth
14 oz can, undrained diced tomatoes
4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through.
Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 14 oz undrained diced tomatoes, then stir in 12 oz penne pasta and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Stir in 4 cups chopped fresh spinach and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted.
Step 6: Remove from heat, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.