One-Pot Tomato Sausage and Spinach Pasta
A hearty, simple pasta dish with savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato base cooked all in one pot. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 spaghetti
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried oregano to the pot, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and stir to combine, adding 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz spaghetti to the pot, stirring to submerge. Cook uncovered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Stir in 5 oz fresh spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Sausage and Spinach Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Tomato Sausage and Spinach Pasta?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Sausage and Spinach Pasta?
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 Sausage and Spinach Pasta 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 Sausage and Spinach Pasta?
Italian one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.