One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
A comforting one-pot pasta dish combining spicy Italian sausage with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and creamy Parmesan. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs casings removed Italian sausage links, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage links
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 pint (about 2 cups), halved cherry tomatoes
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup, plus extra for serving grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and break apart with a spoon, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften and release juices.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups low sodium chicken broth and add 12 oz dry penne pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Uncover and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted 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 Penne with Roasted 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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne with Roasted 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 Penne with Roasted 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 Penne with Roasted 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.
