One-Pot Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage
A hearty one-pot pasta featuring Italian sausage simmered in a fresh tomato basil sauce, cooked all together for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs (casings removed) Italian sausage links, olive oil, medium diced yellow onion 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
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a simmer.
- Step 4: Add 8 oz uncooked spaghetti, pressing it down into the liquid as much as possible. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until cheese melts and sauce is creamy.
- Step 6: Serve immediately garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage 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 Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage?
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 Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage 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 Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce and Italian Sausage?
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.
