Short on time but craving a hearty, homemade meal? This one-pan Skillet Pasta with Sausage is your ultimate solution – quick to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and designed for minimal cleanup after a busy day.
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There’s nothing quite like a comforting pasta dinner to bring the family together around the table. If you’re a fan of satisfying, easy-to-make pasta dishes, you might also enjoy our vibrant Taco Mac and Cheese or the rich and utterly satisfying Creamy Mac and Cheese. Each offers a unique twist on a beloved classic, perfect for any night of the week.
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As I prepared dinner just last night, a wave of familiar contentment washed over me, reminding me how deeply I cherish the act of cooking. It’s a unique joy to be able to make a living from something I’m truly passionate about, spending a significant part of my day creating and experimenting in the kitchen. More often than not, those moments are the absolute highlight of my day – a space for creativity, comfort, and culinary exploration, where ingredients transform into nourishing meals.
However, even for someone who loves to cook, there are inevitably those days when the motivation wanes, when the kitchen feels less like a sanctuary and more like another task on an endless to-do list. These are the days filled with the delightful, yet demanding, chaos of energetic children (which, let’s be honest, can feel like every single day!), or after long, exhausting outings when all you want to do is kick back and relax. Sometimes, the desire to simply take a day off from kitchen duties is overwhelmingly strong, and the thought of dirtying multiple pots and pans is enough to make anyone reach for takeout menus.
For precisely those challenging yet common occasions, having a repertoire of dependable, quick-fix recipes is absolutely invaluable. These are the dishes that effortlessly come together with minimal fuss, typically requiring only a handful of readily available ingredients. They are the meals I know my family will not only eat without complaint but genuinely enjoy, making dinner time a peaceful rather than a stressful affair. Just last week, we revisited our beloved mac and cheese, a timeless classic. Today, I’m thrilled to share another go-to family favorite, a recipe that’s been elevated with a special touch: our irresistible One-Pan Skillet Pasta with Sausage.
This dish holds a special place in our family’s meal rotation for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, ensuring happy eaters and no mealtime battles – a triumph for any parent! Secondly, and perhaps most importantly for busy cooks, it’s a true one-pan wonder. That means significantly less cleanup after dinner, which, let’s be honest, is always a huge win in my book. It’s the kind of meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, embodying everything a perfect weeknight dinner should be: delicious, efficient, and deeply satisfying for the entire family. It simplifies the cooking process without compromising on taste, making it an indispensable recipe for modern households.
Mastering the One-Pan Wonder: How to Make Skillet Pasta with Sausage
Creating this flavorful Skillet Pasta with Sausage is remarkably straightforward, making it an ideal choice for even the busiest evenings. The secret to its speed and depth of flavor lies in using fully cooked smoked sausage. This ingredient not only shaves off precious cooking time but also imparts a wonderful, smoky richness that permeates the entire dish, creating a more complex and satisfying taste profile. There’s a distinct deliciousness that only smoked sausage can bring, truly making it a star ingredient here, effortlessly elevating the entire meal.
The cooking process itself couldn’t be simpler, broken down into just a few easy steps. You begin by heating a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large, sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the sliced smoked sausage and diced onion. The goal here is to brown the sausage nicely, allowing it to develop a rich, caramelized exterior, which is crucial for enhancing its inherent flavor. Simultaneously, the onions will soften and turn translucent, laying a sweet and aromatic foundation for the rest of the dish. This initial sautéing step typically takes only about 3-5 minutes, a small investment for a significant return in flavor.
Once the sausage is beautifully browned and the onions are tender, it’s time to introduce the remaining ingredients. Carefully add the vibrant medley of frozen vegetables (such as the Green Giant Garden Vegetable Medley, which offers both convenience and nutrition), the savory chicken broth, and the creamy milk to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine these elements thoroughly. Next, stir in the dry pasta. While my family has a particular fondness for penne pasta, its tubular shape perfectly capturing the luscious sauce, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to use any short-cut pasta you prefer – rotini, farfalle, or even classic elbow macaroni would work beautifully, each offering a slightly different texture to the finished dish. The key is to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid for even cooking, allowing it to absorb all those wonderful flavors.
To achieve perfectly cooked pasta and a rich, clingy sauce, you’ll need to cover your pan securely. If your trusty skillet doesn’t come with a lid, don’t fret – a standard baking sheet or even a sheet of aluminum foil can serve as an effective makeshift cover, trapping the steam and allowing the pasta to cook to al dente perfection. After covering, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the magic happen, simmering gently for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender yet still firm to the bite. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure all the noodles cook evenly.
As the pasta simmers, it gradually absorbs the liquid, transforming into a tender, flavorful base. What’s left behind is just enough rich, savory sauce to beautifully cling to every noodle, ensuring each bite is packed with taste and moisture. The thoughtful addition of Green Giant vegetables truly elevates this dish, adding not just essential nutrients and a boost of vibrant color, but also a delightful burst of fresh flavors and varied textures. It’s hard to say who enjoyed this skillet pasta more – my children, who are notoriously picky eaters, or my husband, who savored every single morsel. The empty pan at the end of dinner was the best testament to its universal appeal, leaving not a single noodle behind and proving that healthy, delicious, and easy can indeed go hand-in-hand!
Visual Guide: Watch How to Make Skillet Pasta with Sausage
For those who are visual learners or simply prefer to see a recipe come to life before diving in, this video provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the Skillet Pasta with Sausage recipe. From browning the sausage to simmering the pasta in its flavorful sauce, watching the steps in action can often clarify details and boost confidence in the kitchen, ensuring your one-pan creation turns out perfectly every time.
Craving More Effortless One-Pot and Skillet Meals?
If the sheer convenience and deliciousness of this Skillet Pasta with Sausage have completely won you over, then you’ll be thrilled to discover more gems from our collection that celebrate the magic of one-pot and skillet cooking. These recipes are specifically designed to minimize cleanup and maximize flavor, transforming weeknight dinners from a daunting chore into a truly enjoyable experience. Dive into some of our other cherished family favorites:
- Hearty One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff: A creamy, comforting classic, made even easier in a single pot.
- Comforting Skillet Turkey Pot Pie: All the flavors of a traditional pot pie, baked and served beautifully in a skillet.
- Flavorful Chili Mac (A Lighter Take): A fusion of two comforting dishes, lightened up without sacrificing any of the robust taste.
- Quick One Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas: A simple yet elegant dish, featuring crispy bacon and sweet peas for a delightful texture contrast.
Each of these recipes offers the same promise of ease, efficiency, and irresistible deliciousness, proving conclusively that you don’t need a sink full of dirty dishes to create an incredible homemade meal. They are perfect for those demanding busy weeknights, excellent for meal prepping to save time later, or simply for any occasion when you desire a satisfying dinner without all the unnecessary fuss. Embrace the simplicity and joy of one-pan cooking!
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Skillet Pasta with Sausage
Deborah Harroun
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
4
servings
Main Dish
Italian
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 14-16 oz fully cooked smoked sausage cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 12 oz package Green Giant Garden Vegetable Medley
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 oz dry penne pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is nicely browned and the onion has softened and become translucent, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for building a rich flavor base.
- Carefully add the frozen vegetables, chicken broth, and milk to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly. Then, add the dry penne pasta, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Cover the skillet tightly with a lid (or a baking sheet if you don’t have one that fits) and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the pasta to simmer gently until it is al dente – tender but still firm to the bite. This usually takes around 15 minutes, but cooking times can vary depending on your pasta and stove. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Once the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the lid. The remaining liquid should have transformed into a creamy sauce that beautifully clings to the noodles. Taste the dish and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top and stir it in until it melts and is well combined with the pasta and sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a final touch of color and herbaceous flavor. Enjoy this comforting one-pan meal with your family and friends!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only. Actual counts can vary significantly based on specific brands, ingredient choices, and preparation methods. Please use this as a general guide for your dietary planning.
Ingredient Variations & Customization:
This Skillet Pasta with Sausage is incredibly flexible and easily adaptable to your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative!
- Sausage Alternatives: While fully cooked smoked sausage is highly recommended for its convenience and robust flavor, you can also use other types. Try Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, cooked and crumbled before adding), chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even plant-based sausages for a vegetarian option (adjusting cook time as needed).
- Pasta Shapes: Any short-cut pasta will work wonderfully here. Consider rotini, farfalle, cavatappi, or even classic elbow macaroni for a different texture. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, most gluten-free pastas will also work, though cooking times might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them.
- Vegetable Boost: Experiment with different frozen vegetable blends or incorporate fresh vegetables. Bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), fresh spinach (stir in at the very end until wilted), sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or halved cherry tomatoes (added with the broth) would all be delicious and nutritious additions.
- Sauce Enhancements: For an even richer and creamier sauce, consider replacing half of the milk with heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese. For a vegetarian base (if omitting sausage or using plant-based), vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth.
- Cheese Choices: Beyond Parmesan, a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella, sharp cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses can add another layer of flavor and creamy texture to the finished dish.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the flavor profile with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, or a dash of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. A teaspoon of smoked paprika could also amplify the smoky notes.
Serving Suggestions:
This one-pan pasta is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side dish to round out your dinner. A fresh green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast. Alternatively, a side of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread would be excellent for soaking up every last bit of that delicious, flavorful sauce.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips:
This dish is truly at its best when enjoyed fresh, straight from the skillet. However, leftovers are still incredibly delicious and can be a fantastic option for meal prepping. Store any remaining pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of extra broth or milk to loosen the sauce, as the pasta will absorb more liquid over time. This makes it a great option for packed lunches that are both hearty and convenient!
Nutrition Information
Carbohydrates: 47g (16%),
Protein: 41g (82%),
Fat: 47g (72%),
Saturated Fat: 19g (119%),
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g,
Trans Fat: 2g,
Cholesterol: 107mg (36%),
Sodium: 1965mg (85%),
Fiber: 4g (17%),
Sugar: 6g (7%)
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