One Pot Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
A quick weeknight dinner where spicy sausage and sun-dried tomatoes simmer in a garlicky tomato sauce with pasta, all in one pot for minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, casings removed sweet Italian sausage, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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
- 12 oz, casings removed sweet Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking into small pieces with a spoon.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 1/4 cup red wine and simmer until evaporated, then stir in 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Add drained pasta and reserved 1/2 cup pasta water, tossing until sauce coats pasta and thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One Pot Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato 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 Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato 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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One Pot Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato 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 Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato 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 Sausage and Sun-Dried Tomato 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
