One-Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage and Spinach
A hearty, restaurant-quality pasta dish cooked entirely in one pot with savory sausage and fresh spinach. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, casings removed Italian sausage, medium, diced onion 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb, casings removed Italian sausage
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 10 oz fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking into crumbles, for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium onion (diced) and 2 cloves garlic (minced) to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and the cooked sausage. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring once, until pasta is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 10 oz fresh spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Pasta with Italian Sausage and Spinach 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 Pasta with Italian Sausage and 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 Pasta with Italian Sausage and 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 Pasta with Italian Sausage and 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 Pasta with Italian Sausage and 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many one pot recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
