Description
This One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta is a hearty, flavorful, and convenient meal that combines savory Italian sausage, tender spaghetti, and a rich tomato-based sauce all cooked together in a single pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers a satisfying blend of Italian flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Base
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Seasonings and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Fresh chopped parsley and/or basil, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Add the Italian sausage meat to a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with your spoon as it cooks, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add tomato paste and garlic: Stir in the tomato paste and minced garlic into the browned sausage and cook together for 1 minute to build flavor.
- Season the sauce: Mix in the onion powder, sugar, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the sausage mixture, stirring well to combine.
- Add liquids and bring to a boil: Pour in the beef broth and crushed tomatoes, then increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Cook the pasta: Once boiling, add the uncooked spaghetti directly to the pot. Cook uncovered for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust the heat to maintain a steady simmer (medium to medium-low) so it bubbles gently, not vigorously.
- Finish with cheese: Turn off the burner but leave the pot on the heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta and cover the pot with a lid. Let it sit for 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken as more liquid absorbs.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the pasta to incorporate the melted mozzarella evenly. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your taste preference.
- If the pasta seems too dry before the cooking time is up, add a little extra broth or water as needed.
- Keeping a gentle simmer during pasta cooking prevents it from sticking or boiling over.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the mozzarella and parmesan or use suitable substitutes.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add brightness, but are optional.
