One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with Sausage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy tomato sauce simmered with savory Italian sausage and fresh basil, tossed with al dente penne. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, breaking it into crumbles, and cook for 5 minutes until browned. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet; simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in cooked penne, basil, and 1/2 cup Parmesan, tossing until sauce coats pasta. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with 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 Tomato Basil Penne with 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 penne pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Basil Penne with 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 Tomato Basil Penne with 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 Tomato Basil Penne with 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.

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