Simple One Pan Sausage Pasta Recipe

The Best Kind of Kitchen Magic

I love a good one-pan meal. It feels like a little bit of kitchen magic. You toss everything in, and it all comes together. Less washing up means more time for stories.

This sausage pasta is one of my go-to recipes. It’s cozy and fills the whole house with a wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes everyone hungry.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

I first made this for my grandson on a busy weeknight. He was helping me slice the sausage. He said it looked like little wheels. I still laugh at that.

He was so proud of our wheel pasta. We watched the spinach wilt away into the sauce. It just disappears! Cooking together makes the food taste even better, I think.

Why This Simple Meal Matters

This recipe matters because it brings people to the table. A shared meal is about more than just food. It’s about connection.

It also teaches you how flavors can work together. You see the broth, tomatoes, and cream become a sauce. It’s a good lesson in patience.

Let’s Get Cooking Together

Start by browning your sausage wheels with the onion. That sizzle is the sound of flavor starting. Then add the garlic. It makes everything so fragrant.

Next, in goes the broth, tomatoes, and dry pasta. The pasta cooks right in the sauce. Fun fact: This is how the pasta soaks up all that good flavor! Give it a stir now and then.

The Finishing Touches

The creamy sauce thickens up so nicely. Then you stir in the spinach. It wilts down like a green whisper in the pan.

Finally, sprinkle that cheese on top. Cover the pan and let it get all melty. Who doesn’t love melted cheese? What’s your favorite cheese to sprinkle on pasta?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is yours to play with. You could use a different pasta shape. Or try spicy sausage if you like a kick. What is one ingredient you would love to add to this?

The best recipes are the ones you make your own. I hope this one becomes a favorite in your home. Will you tell me if you try it?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Kiolbassa Beef Smoked Sausage	1 (20-ounce) package	Sliced
Butter	1 tablespoon
Sweet onion	1/2	Chopped
Garlic	2 cloves	Minced
Chicken broth	4 cups
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes	1 (14.5-ounce) can	Undrained
Rotini pasta	1 (16-ounce) box	Uncooked
Heavy cream	1/2 cup
Corn starch	2 teaspoons
Baby spinach	1 to 3 cups
Shredded Italian blend cheese	1 cup
Salt	To taste

My Cozy Sausage Skillet Supper

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me for a moment. I want to share my one-pan sausage pasta recipe. It is the easiest, coziest supper for a busy weeknight. Everything cooks together in one big pan. That means less washing up for you later. I love that. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? It reminds me of my own grandma’s kitchen. She taught me that good food brings everyone together.

Let’s get our hands busy. You will need a large skillet, like the one I use for Sunday breakfast. This recipe is very forgiving. If you forget an ingredient, just smile and carry on. I still laugh at the time I used regular tomatoes instead of fire-roasted. It was still delicious! Here is how we make our simple supper.

Step 1: Melt your butter in that big skillet over medium heat. Add your sliced sausage and the chopped onion. Let them cook together until the onions get soft. This takes about five minutes. Now, stir in your minced garlic. It makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful. (A hard-learned tip: don’t let the garlic burn! It only needs one minute.)

Step 2: Pour in the chicken broth and the whole can of tomatoes. Now, add the dry pasta right from the box. Give it a good stir. Put the lid on your skillet and turn the heat down to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about fifteen minutes. The pasta will soak up all that lovely flavor. What’s your favorite pasta shape to use? Share below!

Step 3: Grab a small bowl. Whisk the cornstarch into the heavy cream until it’s smooth. Pour this creamy mixture into your skillet and stir. You will see it start to thicken nicely. Now is the time to add a little salt. Just taste it first to see what it needs.

Step 4: Stir in as much baby spinach as you like. I usually add a big handful. Watch the green leaves wilt down in the heat. Finally, sprinkle the Italian cheese over the top. Put the lid back on for just a minute. This lets the cheese get all melty and perfect. Then, serve it up right away while it’s hot and happy.

Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings
Category: Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It is always happy to see you, and you can dress it up for any occasion. Feel like a change? Here are some of my favorite ways to mix it up. They are all so simple and fun.

Summer Garden Twist: Swap the sausage for chopped zucchini and yellow squash. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil at the end.

Spicy Fiesta Twist: Use a spicy chorizo sausage. Stir in a can of drained black beans and some corn with the spinach.

Creamy Mushroom Twist: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions. Use a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce instead of the heavy cream.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Now, a good meal is about more than just the main dish. It is about the whole experience. For this cozy pasta, I love to serve a simple green salad on the side. A few slices of crusty, warm bread are perfect for soaking up the sauce. It makes my heart happy to see a clean plate.

What should we drink with it? For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of pale ale tastes wonderful. It cuts through the richness. For everyone else, a fizzy apple cider is my top pick. Its sweet tang is just right. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Sausage Skillet for Later

This meal is wonderful for making ahead. Let it cool completely first. Then store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days.

You can also freeze it for a busy night. I use old yogurt tubs for this. The first time I froze this, I forgot to label it. My freezer became a mystery food box.

This matters because a ready meal saves you on tired days. Batch cooking is like giving your future self a hug. It makes a busy week feel less stressful.

To reheat, add a splash of broth or water. Warm it on the stove over medium heat, stirring often. This keeps the pasta from drying out. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Skillet Problems

Is your pasta still hard? The liquid may have cooked down too fast. Just add another half cup of broth. Then put the lid back on to let it steam.

If your sauce is too thin, do not worry. Let it simmer for a few more minutes without the lid. The extra liquid will cook off. I remember when my grandson added the cream too early.

The sauce was very runny. We fixed it together. Getting the thickness right matters for a rich, cozy sauce. It makes the dish feel more special.

Is the cheese not melting nicely? Make sure the skillet is covered with a lid. The trapped heat will melt the cheese perfectly. This builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Skillet Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes. Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are naturally safe.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make the whole dish and reheat it later. It tastes just as good.

Q: What if I do not have heavy cream? A: You can use whole milk. The sauce will be a little lighter, but still tasty.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You will need a very large pan. Or you can cook it in two separate skillets.

Q: Is the spinach optional? A: Of course. The recipe is very forgiving. Add what you like, leave out what you do not. Which tip will you try first?

Sharing the Table With You

I hope this recipe finds its way to your family table. It is a simple dish that brings everyone together. Nothing makes me happier than that.

I would love to see your creation. Your photos and stories make my day. It is like we are cooking together, even when we are far apart.

*Fun fact: The word “rotini” means “little wheels” in Italian.* Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.