One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne with Spinach
A hearty one-pot pasta featuring spicy Italian sausage, tender penne, and fresh spinach in a savory tomato sauce ready in under 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 28 minutes pairs Italian sausage links, casings removed, penne pasta, olive oil 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 Italian sausage links, casings removed
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage with casings removed and crumble as it cooks for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium chopped onion and 3 cloves minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 12 oz penne pasta, 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 4 cups fresh spinach leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until spinach wilts and cheese melts. Serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (8 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 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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage Penne 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 Penne 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 Penne with Spinach?
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.
