One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Tomato Penne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

A hearty one-pot pasta featuring spicy Italian sausage simmered with ripe tomatoes and penne, finished with fresh basil and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs olive oil, Italian sausage, yellow 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casing) and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the sausage. Sauté together for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, then pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Step 4: Add 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-14 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Serve immediately.