Italian Sausage Pasta

A skillet filled with Italian Sausage Pasta—penne mixed with tomato sauce, ground meat, grated cheese, and chopped herbs. The skillet rests on a patterned napkin beside a spoon and other dishes.

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4.75 from 4 votes

This quick and easy Italian Sausage Pasta can be created in under 30 minutes. You'll love this easy skillet recipe.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italiain

Servings:

Author: Carrie Barnard

Cost: $9.71, $1.62 per Servings

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
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 pound Penne Pasta
grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Fresh Basil Leaves (thinly sliced for garnish, optional)

Instructions

In a large skillet, cook 1 pound ground Italian sausage over medium-high heat, using a wooden spoon to break it apart, until browned and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
Add 1 diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in 2 cans crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce is simmering, cook 1 pound 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!

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