One-Pot Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty one-pot meal featuring spicy Italian sausage simmered with penne pasta in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth. Stir in 12 ounces penne pasta and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne 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 Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne?

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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne?

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 Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne 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 Spicy Italian Sausage and Penne?

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.

Related recipes