One-Pot Italian Sausage and Zucchini Pasta
A hearty one-pot dinner featuring Italian sausage, tender zucchini, and pasta simmered in a garlic tomato sauce for easy weeknight cooking. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs Italian sausage links, casings removed, garlic cloves, minced, diced tomatoes, canned 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
- 1 lb Italian sausage links, casings removed
- 2 medium zucchini, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, canned
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed), breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Add 8 oz penne pasta and 2 diced medium zucchinis. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Zucchini Pasta 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 Italian Sausage and Zucchini Pasta?
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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage and Zucchini Pasta?
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 Zucchini Pasta 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 Zucchini Pasta?
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.
