One-Pot Spaghetti with Spicy Tomato and Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A hearty and comforting one-pot pasta dish where spicy Italian sausage simmers with tomatoes and herbs, coating spaghetti in a rich sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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, casings removed Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casings) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 3 minutes until onion softens and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Break 12 oz spaghetti in half and add to the simmering sauce, pressing down to submerge. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is tender and sauce has thickened to coat the pasta.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Let sit for 2 minutes before serving to meld flavors.