Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce
Spicy Italian sausage and penne pasta tossed in a vibrant tomato and fresh basil sauce, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, casing removed Italian sausage, olive oil 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 penne pasta
- 12 oz casing removed Italian sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz penne pasta for 10-12 minutes until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 12 oz Italian sausage (casing removed) and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the sausage and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; simmer sauce for 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add the drained penne pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet; toss to combine and coat pasta evenly with sauce.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well mixed.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce?
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 Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce?
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 Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce 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 Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Penne with Tomato Basil Sauce?
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.
