Name: Recipe "One Pot Sausage Pasta"
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil (divided); 1 lb sausage links (cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (chicken or smoked sausage)); 0.5 medium yellow onion (diced); 1 red bell pepper (seeds removed and diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 cup kale (chopped); 15 oz diced tomatoes; 0.5 tsp dried basil; 0.25 tsp dried oregano; 0.25 tsp fennel seed; 8 oz uncooked penne pasta; 2 cup vegetable or chicken broth; 0.5 cup fresh mozzarella cheese (chopped); 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese; 3 tbsp fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)

Here’s what to make next: Stuffed Pepper Soup and Pesto Havarti Mac and Cheese.

Why This One Pot Sausage Pasta Is So Good

The combo of savory sausage, sweet red pepper, and tender kale in a one-pot pasta makes a satisfying weeknight dinner. My boys ask for this dish every week. I love that the pasta cooks directly in the broth, no separate pot to boil, and it picks up all the seasoning from the sausage and tomatoes. It comes together in about 30 minutes, and the melted cheese on top is the best part.

Reasons You’ll Love This One Skillet Dinner

Only one skillet to clean, the pasta cooks right in the sauce.
The penne absorbs the rich tomato broth, so every bite is flavorful.
Fresh mozzarella and Parmesan melt into a creamy, cheesy finish that pulls the whole dish together.

Key Ingredients for One Pot Sausage Pasta

Sausage: Use your favorite links, mild or spicy Italian work best. Cut into rounds for even browning.
Kale: Lacinato (Tuscan) kale is tender; remove the ribs and chop. Curly kale works too, just cook an extra minute.
Cheese: Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully; pre-shredded won’t be as creamy. Grate Parmesan from a block for best flavor.

Kitchen Tools for One Pot Sausage Pasta

Large skillet or Dutch oven with a lid (for even heating and to fit all ingredients)
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula for stirring (won’t scratch your pan)
Sharp knife and cutting board

Tips for Making the Best One Pot Sausage Pasta

Stir the pasta occasionally while it’s covered to prevent sticking. The pasta should be al dente after 8 to 10 minutes; if it’s still firm, add a splash of water and cook another minute. Don’t skip cooking the tomato paste, it deepens the flavor. Use a large enough skillet (12-inch) or a Dutch oven so everything fits without overcrowding.

Delicious Variations for Sausage and Kale Pasta

If you want to change it up, use spicy Italian sausage for heat, or swap kale with spinach, add spinach at the end so it just wilts. For extra protein, toss in a can of drained chickpeas. Gluten-free pasta works without any adjustment. To make it vegetarian, use veggie sausage and vegetable broth.

What to Serve with One Pot Sausage Pasta

Serve this pasta with crusty garlic bread for dipping, or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. Roasted broccoli also makes a good side.

How to Store Leftover One Pot Sausage Pasta

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will absorb some liquid, so add a splash of broth or water when reheating to bring back the saucy consistency.

How to Freeze One Pot Sausage Pasta

This pasta freezes well. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat One Pot Sausage Pasta

To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth, stirring until heated through. Or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals. Avoid high heat, which can make the pasta mushy.

One Pot Sausage Pasta FAQs

Can I use ground sausage instead of links?

Yes, brown the ground sausage first, breaking it up, then drain excess fat if needed. Proceed with the recipe as written. You may want to adjust the salt since ground sausage can be saltier.

Is there a dairy-free option?

You can omit the mozzarella and Parmesan, or use dairy-free cheese alternatives. The pasta will still be flavorful from the sausage and broth. Add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

What pasta shape works best?

Penne is great because its ridges hold the sauce, but any short pasta like rigatoni, fusilli, or shells works. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti as it won’t fit as well in one pot.

Can I make this ahead?

You can cook the entire dish ahead, but the pasta will continue to absorb liquid. For best results, undercook the pasta slightly and add extra broth when reheating. Alternatively, prep the ingredients and cook fresh.

Recipe

One Pot Sausage Pasta

One Pot Sausage Pasta with onion, garlic, red pepper, kale, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This easy one skillet dinner is a weeknight favorite!

easy

10 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

Servings

Dinner

Course

Italian

Cuisine

580 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (chicken or smoked sausage)
0.5 medium yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cup kale, chopped
15 oz diced tomatoes

0.5 tsp dried basil
0.25 tsp dried oregano
0.25 tsp fennel seed
8 oz uncooked penne pasta
2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
0.5 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped
0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1
Heat a large skillet or pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the sausage slices, onion, red pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the onion and peppers are tender and the sausage is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Add the tomato paste and stir. Add in the chopped kale, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, and fennel seed.

3
Add in penne pasta and broth. Stir until combined. Cover with a lid and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente.
4
Remove lid, stir and add in the fresh mozzarella cheese. Stir and cook until cheese is melted. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve warm.

Nutrition (per serving)

580kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein29%173 kcal

Fat45%261 kcal

Carbohydrates26%156 kcal

How this was calculated — 15 of 16 ingredients matched

olive oilOil, corn, peanut, and olive265 kcal

sausage linksSausage, turkey, breakfast links, mild, raw767 kcal

red bell pepperPepper, banana, raw0 kcal

garlicGarlic, raw22 kcal

tomato pasteTomato products, canned, paste, without salt added (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program)25 kcal

kaleKale, raw168 kcal

diced tomatoesTomatoes, grape, raw115 kcal

dried basilBasil, fresh1 kcal

dried oreganoSpices, oregano, dried3 kcal

fennel seedSpices, fennel seed4 kcal

uncooked penne pastaPasta, whole grain, 51% whole wheat, remaining unenriched semolina, dry821 kcal

vegetable or chicken brothChicken, ground, raw686 kcal

fresh mozzarella cheeseCheese, mozzarella, whole milk359 kcal

Parmesan cheeseCheese, parmesan, hard235 kcal

fresh basilBasil, fresh10 kcal

Serving size ≈ 395 g · 6 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

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Keyword: cheese, dinner, Kale, one-pot, pasta, sausage, Skillet

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