Home > Dinner > Penne Pasta with Sausage (One Pot!) Penne Pasta with Sausage (One Pot!) October 1, 2023 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. This one-pot Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage packs a flavor punch with a rich, creamy tomato base surrounding savory sausage and pasta. It’s total comfort in a bowl, and boom – ready in 30 minutes or less! For a penne pasta recipe with chicken, try our Sun-Dried Tomato-Chicken Pasta, coated in a delicious Parmesan Cream Sauce. QUICK TIP What is penne pasta? Penne, named after the Italian word for “pen”, resembles short tube-shaped bits with angled ends. Its size and ridges are great for grabbing onto sauce! Penne Pasta Recipe Look, busy weeknights need quick pasta dishes, and this one? Well, this simple Penne Pasta with Sausage recipe is an absolute winner at my home! The mix of Italian sausage (go mild or spicy–your pick) in a creamy tomato sauce, with tender pasta, and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan? Talk about pasta perfection! And the cherry on top? There’s just one pot to clean up afterward and minimal prep time. Both are big wins in my book. QUICK TIP Into easy one-pot dishes? Give our One-Pot Spaghetti, no-fuss Hamburger Helper, or One-Pot Chicken Orzo a whirl. They’ve got rave reviews for a reason! Penne Pasta With Sausage Ingredients Here’s what we’ve got going on in this tasty penne pasta dish: Olive oil: Lay down a flavorful foundation with good olive oil. It elevates all the other ingredients. Yellow onion: Onions bring a sweet undertone and richness. If you’re on the clock, pick up pre-diced from the store. Garlic: For a speedy prep, go for jarred garlic or use a garlic press. Italian sausage: Choose between mild or spicy. For a leaner option, use turkey or chicken sausage. Italian seasoning: This medley of herbs, typically basil, oregano, rosemary, and more, gives that classic Italian aroma and flavor. Tomato paste: We choose paste for its thick, intense, and concentrated tomato flavor. Crushed tomatoes: These create a saucier texture, which is the backbone of our dish. Chicken stock or broth: Beats plain water any day! It infuses the pasta with a nice savory flavor. Penne pasta: Penne soaks up all that saucy goodness, and cooks to perfection in the same pot as everything else! Heavy whipping cream: Transform the dish with cream to create lush, creamy richness. This also helps to thicken everything up nicely. QUICK TIP Heavy whipping cream is essential in Penne Pasta With Sausage. The high-fat content thickens the sauce, giving this pasta and sauce a creamy texture. Regular milk lacks this ability, leading to a less rich, watery sauce. How To Make Penne Pasta With Sausage (Tips) Prep ahead: Measure and organize ingredients in advance for a smooth process. Use a spacious pot: A large pot keeps the pasta from clumping and ensures even cooking. Taste as you go: Adjusting as you cook can make a world of difference to the final flavor. Regular stirring: Stirring keeps the pasta from sticking and ensures it cooks evenly. Cook pasta to al dente: The pasta continues to cook a bit even after you turn off the heat due to the hot sauce, so slightly undercooking initially ensures the perfect texture by the time you get the dinner to the plate! Finish cooking on low heat: After adding the heavy whipping cream, keep the heat low to maintain a smooth texture. Serve hot: Pasta dishes, especially creamy ones, are best enjoyed immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor. Which Sauce Is Best For Penne? Penne pasta recipes with tomato sauce are my top pick, but the tube-like structure with ridges makes it versatile for all sorts of sauces. Here are our best penne pasta recipes with sauces that pair nicely: Cajun Sausage Pasta Vegetable Pasta (a great vegetarian penne pasta recipe!) Buffalo Chicken Pasta STORAGE This Italian Penne Pasta With Sausage recipe, like many pasta dishes, tastes best right off the stove! For a head start, you can sauté the onion, garlic, and brown the Italian sausage. Just pop it in the fridge and pull it out when you’re set to whip up this dish! What To Serve With Penne Pasta With Sausage Garden Salad or Italian Salad: Fresh counterpoint to the rich pasta. Garlic Bread or Dinner Rolls: Crispy, buttery companion for sauce dipping. Roasted Veggies: For added color and nutrition. Caesar Salad: Creamy and crunchy side dish. Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil combo. Focaccia: Herby, olive oil-rich bread perfect for sopping up extra sauce! More Favorite Pasta Dishes Chicken Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach Sweet Potato Pasta with sausage Fettuccine Alfredo quick and easy! Quickest Tuna Pasta with lemon Pesto Pasta Salad with tomatoes and mozzarella FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Penne Pasta 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe This one-pot Penne Pasta with Sausage packs a flavor punch with a rich, creamy tomato base surrounding savory sausage and pasta. It's total comfort in a bowl, and boom - ready in 30 minutes or less! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Penne Pasta 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe This one-pot Penne Pasta with Sausage packs a flavor punch with a rich, creamy tomato base surrounding savory sausage and pasta. It's total comfort in a bowl, and boom - ready in 30 minutes or less! Course Dinner, Main Course Cuisine American Keyword penne pasta Prep Time 15 minutes minutes Cook Time 15 minutes minutes Total Time 30 minutes minutes Servings 4 -5 servings Chelsea Lords Calories 739kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $12.67 EquipmentLarge, heavy-bottomed pot Ingredients▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil▢ 1½ cups diced yellow onion (1 large)▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)▢ 1 lb. Italian sausage (Note 1)▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste (Note 2)▢ 14 oz. crushed tomatoes▢ Fine sea salt & pepper▢ 1 container (32 oz) chicken stock/broth (4 cups)▢ 4 cups penne pasta▢ ¾ cup heavy whipping cream (Note 3)▢ Optional: fresh basil, Parmesan cheese InstructionsONION and SAUSAGE: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over high heat. Add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes or until the onions are golden. Push to the sides of the pot and add the sausage to the center of the pot. Allow it to sear briefly, then break it apart and cook until no longer pink. ADD TOMATOES & PASTA: Add in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper to taste (I add 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper). Sauté, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir. Finally, add in pasta and stir to submerge in the liquid.SIMMER: Bring the mixture to a simmer (bubbling gently). Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Continue cooking until the pasta is nearly done. FINISH: Pour in the cream and continue simmering for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. It's ok if it's saucy, the pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. ENJOY: Take the pot off the heat and give the pasta a good stir. Serve hot in bowls. If desired, garnish with ripped fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy! Video Recipe NotesNote 1: Italian sausage: Depending on personal preference, use mild or spicy sausage -- either work. Sausage comes in different-sized packages -- as long as you're in the general ballpark, this recipe will work just fine. We use one pound, but if you have a 19-ounce package, throw it all in if you like -- you'll just have a meatier sauce. If using Italian sausages with casings, be sure to remove the casings before cooking. We do not drain off the grease in this recipe, but you can if you'd like. Note 2: Tomato paste: Stick to tomato paste; it's far more concentrated than other tomato products and we need it for this recipe. Note 3: Heavy cream: We don't recommend swapping out milk for the heavy cream. The cream balances the acidity of the tomato paste and has enough fat to properly thicken. Nut milks don't work well, either. Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 739kcal | Carbohydrates: 69.9g | Protein: 26.4g | Fat: 36.9g | Cholesterol: 90.2mg | Sodium: 890mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 9.6g We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
