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This Italian Sausage Pasta is an amazing one pot meal that the entire family will love. I hope you enjoy this easy weeknight dinner idea.

Italian Pasta in a skillet with a serving on a spoon
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You won’t believe it but this recipe took me less than 30 minutes to create for my family! It is one of my families favorite Italian Dishes that is perfect for a busy weeknight.

The delicious sauce is easy to make with simple ingredients. You must also check out this One Pot Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe or Roasted Red Pepper Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe.

Why We Love This Recipe

My kids loved this meal and I loved that it was easy and nutritious too.  It doesn’t take a ton of time to create a delicious meal for your family to enjoy together.

The ingredients can be changed to what you prefer. We have even served this for friends and there was nothing left in the pan.

Ingredients

Italian Sausage, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese

Here is all you need to create this easy, nutritious and delicious meal for your family.

Now that you’re prepared with all the necessary ingredients, let’s learn how to create this nutritious and easy recipe. Scroll to see the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Pasta – You can easily use other types of pasta to make this recipe. Bowtie, Rotini or Rigatoni also work great.
  • Seasoning – Substitute the seasoning with the Italian Seasoning Blend. For extra hint of spice add in red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
  • Heavy Cream –Heavy cream can be added for a creamier texture.
  • Veggies – This is a great recipe to sneak in vegetables. Slice mushrooms, broccoli, spinach or bell peppers are always a great option.
  • Chicken Broth – If you prefer a thinner broth, you can add in chicken broth or dry white wine.

How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta

Cooked ground beef in a skillet with a wooden spoon with a bowl of fresh onions and pasta with minced garlic and pepper

Step 1 – In a large skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon to break it apart, until it is thoroughly browned and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.

Cooked ground beef in a skillet with a wooden spoon topped with diced onions with cans of tomato, pasta and seasoning on the side

Step 2 – Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Adding minced garlic to skillet with ground beef with fresh onions and a side of pasta and canned tomatoes

Step 3 – Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Ground beef in a skillet topped with seasoning and canned tomato sauce

Step 4 – Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to blend.

Pasta in  a large pot

Step 5 – While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Mixing the cooked pasta with the meat sauce in a large skillet

Step 6 – Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.

  • Step 7 – Remove the skillet from the heat and let the pasta rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend further.
  • Step 8 – Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Combining Sauce Ingredients – Cook the ground beef and with the sauce and seasoning on a low simmer. This meat sauce to thicken to create a delicious easy pasta recipe.
  • Pasta – Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. You want the pasta to be al dente for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions

This Italian Sausage Pasta is delicious served with your favorite side dish. I love to serve with Easy Caesar Salad Recipe and Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe.

Another family favorite is Air Fryer Broccoli or Oven Roasted Asparagus.

Italian Sausage pasta on a plate with a bite on a fork

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Italian Sausage be Cooked before Adding to Sauce?

Yes, you cook the Italian Sausage prior to starting this recipe. This is a great

How to Store Leftover Italian Sausage Pasta

Store leftover pasta dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This pasta dish will last about 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Italian Sausage Pasta?

Yes, you can freeze this pasta dish. Store in a freezer safe container for about 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to serve again.

How to Reheat Pasta

Reheat the Italian Sausage Pasta in the microwave in 30 second intervals. You can also reheat in the skillet depending on how much you have leftover.

More Easy Delicious Skillet Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Italian Sausage Pasta

5 from 2 votes
This quick and easy Italian Sausage Pasta can be created in under 30 minutes. You'll love this easy skillet recipe.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Italiain
Course Dinner
Calories 607

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 cans crushed tomatoes (14.5 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound Penne Pasta
  • grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Fresh Basil Leaves (thinly sliced for garnish, optional)
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Instructions

  • In a large skillet, cook the ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon to break it apart, until it is thoroughly browned and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
  • Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to blend.
  • While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and let the pasta rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend further.
  • Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy! 

Recipe Notes

Don’t forget to reserve some pasta cooking water before draining the penne. The starchy water is a perfect adjuster to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick upon addition of the pasta.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 607kcal, Carbohydrates 54g, Protein 28g, Fat 32g, Saturated Fat 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat 5g, Monounsaturated Fat 14g, Trans Fat 0.2g, Cholesterol 82mg, Sodium 1.286mg, Potassium 1mg, Fiber 7g, Sugar 11g, Vitamin A 539IU, Vitamin C 23mg, Calcium 114mg, Iron 6mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    I’m so sorry about that! I used a full pound of penne pasta for this recipe. I have updated the recipe card with this. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

  2. Justin says:

    5 stars
    Gonna try and make this dish this week. I noticed that the recipe card doesn’t have pasta as an ingredient? What’s your recommended amount of pasta to cook for this dish? 1/2 lbs or a full pound?