Is there anything more frustrating than finding a “quick” dinner recipe that claims to be easy but leaves you with a mountain of leftovers and a sink full of dishes? I’ve been there! I remember planning a cozy Tuesday night in, only to end up with enough lasagna to feed a football team and a kitchen that looked like a disaster zone. That is precisely why I needed to perfect this One-Pot Pasta with Sausage for Two.
It isn’t just about portion control, though that is a huge bonus; it is about the magic that happens when you cook everything together. By simmering the pasta directly in the broth and juices, the starch combines with the olive oil to create a glossy, decadent sauce without the need for cream. It’s perfectly refreshing and yet totally crave-worthy. Whether you are a busy professional in need of a quick pasta dinner for two or planning a low-stress date night, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. Get ready to ditch the colander and fall in love with weeknight cooking again!
Table of Contents
One-Pot Pasta with Sausage for Two
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey or beef Italian sausage sweet or spicy
- ½ medium onion finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (1 teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups penne pasta uncooked
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 16 ounces spaghetti sauce about 2 cups
- Optional for serving: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Sear the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is completely browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Build the Base: Stir in the Italian seasoning, undrained diced tomatoes, dry penne pasta, and chicken broth. Mix everything together until well combined, ensuring the pasta is evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
- Simmer & Cook: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let cook for 8 minutes. Remove the lid, stir the pasta well to prevent sticking, then cover again and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
- Add Sauce & Finish: Remove the lid and stir in the spaghetti sauce. Continue cooking uncovered over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitutions: You can swap the pork sausage for turkey sausage to lighten the dish.
- Creamy Variation: For a “rosa” style sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream right before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Why This Recipe Works for Couples
Cooking for smaller households is a massive trend right now, as we all seek to reduce waste and save time. This small-batch sausage pasta recipe is specifically designed to feed two people generously without the “what do I do with this?” anxiety the next day. Plus, using a single skillet means cleanup is basically non-existent, leaving you more time to enjoy that glass of wine.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to whip this up. I’ve sized this perfectly for two, so you don’t have to do any complex math!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (Extra virgin works best for flavor)
- 1 pound ground turkey or beef Italian sausage (Sweet or spicy, depending on your vibe)
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 teaspoon, but I always measure garlic with my heart!)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups penne pasta, uncooked (Penne is sturdy enough to hold up to the stirring)
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 16 ounces spaghetti sauce (about 2 cups of your favorite jarred variety)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (For serving)
- Fresh basil or parsley (Optional, but adds a lovely pop of color)
Instructions
Get ready, because this moves fast! The beauty of this method is that once you start, you are only about 20 minutes away from enjoying a meal.
1. Sear the Sausage First, grab your favorite large, deep skillet. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Toss in the ground sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic. You want to cook this for about 6–8 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. I like leaving a few larger chunks for texture! Cook until the sausage is completely browned and the onions are soft. If there is a lot of excess fat, go ahead and drain it, but leaving a little bit adds incredible flavor to the final sauce.
2. Build the Base Now for the easy part. Stir in the Italian seasoning, the undrained diced tomatoes, the dry penne pasta, and the chicken broth. Please give it a really good mix. You want to ensure the pasta is evenly distributed and mostly submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly. This is where the one-skillet sausage pasta magic starts!
3. Simmer & Cook Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once you see those bubbles, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Let it cook for 8 minutes. Here is a pro tip: Remove the lid halfway through to give it a quick stir, so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom, then cover it back up for the remaining time.
4. Add Sauce & Finish. Remove the lid; it should now smell amazing! Stir in the spaghetti sauce. We add this later to maintain the brightness and vibrancy of the tomato flavor. Continue cooking, uncovered, over medium-low heat for an additional 3–5 minutes. Keep stirring frequently! You are looking for the pasta to become tender and the liquid to reduce into a rich, coating consistency.
5. Serve. Remove the skillet from the heat. Taste it and season with additional salt and black pepper if needed. To finish, garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately while it’s piping hot, and the cheese is melty!
Tips & Variations for the Perfect Date Night
I absolutely love this recipe as written, but the best part about Italian sausage pasta for two servings is its adaptability. Here are a few ways you can make it your own:
- Spice it Up: If you love heat, opt for spicy Italian sausage. If you only have sweet sausage on hand, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes during step 2 to give it a zesty kick.
- Protein Swaps: While I usually use pork or beef sausage, you can easily make a one-pot pasta with turkey sausage to lighten things up for two. Just make sure to season it well, as turkey is leaner.
- Veggie Boost: Want to sneak in some greens? Stir in two handfuls of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking. It wilts down instantly and adds a beautiful color and nutrition boost without dirtying another pan.
- The Cream Factor: If you are craving something ultra-rich, stir in a splash (about two tablespoons) of heavy cream or half-and-half right before serving. It turns the tomato sauce into a “rosa” sauce that is totally addictive.
- Pasta Shapes: I recommend short shapes, such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni. They hold the sauce beautifully. Avoid long noodles, such as spaghetti, for this specific liquid ratio, as they tend to clump together in a one-pot setup.
Storage & Reheating
Since this is a small-batch sausage pasta recipe, you shouldn’t have many leftovers. However, if you do, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the microwave or return it to the skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Nutritional Note
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on ingredients used. Generally, you are looking at a hearty, protein-packed meal that keeps you full without the heaviness of a traditional cream sauce.
What to Serve With One-Pot Pasta
Since this easy one-pot sausage pasta for couples is quite rich and savory, I like to balance it out with sides that bring freshness and crunch.
- A Crisp Green Salad: A simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette packs a punch and cuts through the richness of the sausage and cheese. The acid is a perfect palate cleanser.
- Garlic Bread: Is it even pasta night without bread? Grab a baguette or some frozen garlic knots to soak up that glossy sauce at the bottom of the bowl.
- Wine Pairing: For a romantic dinner pasta recipe, pour a glass of Chianti or a medium-bodied Pinot Noir. The tannins in the red wine pair beautifully with the acidity of the tomatoes and the savory herbs.
- Roasted Vegetables: If you want to keep it lighter, some roasted asparagus or broccolini with lemon zest makes for a lovely, vibrant side dish.
FAQs: Mastering the One-Pot Method
What’s the secret to a flavorful sausage pasta?
The secret is definitely in the sea! Don’t rush browning the meat. Getting that deep, golden-brown color on the sausage creates a “fond” (those sticky brown bits) on the bottom of the pan. When you add the broth, those bits lift and flavor the entire dish, giving you a depth that tastes like it simmered all day.
What kind of pasta is best with sausage?
For one-pot Italian sausage pasta, short, tubular shapes are your best friends. Penne, ziti, or rigatoni are sturdy enough to retain their shape during the boiling and stirring process. Additionally, the meat and sauce are trapped inside the tubes, ensuring a perfect bite every time.
Can you cook sausage and pasta together?
Absolutely, and you should! Cooking them in the same pot isn’t just about saving dishes; it’s about flavor and texture. As the pasta cooks, it releases starch into the liquid. This natural starch acts as a binder, thickening the broth and tomato juices into a silky sauce that clings to the noodles in a way that boiled-water pasta just can’t match.
Conclusion
There you have it, a date night one-pot pasta that feels special enough for a Friday night but is easy enough for a manic Monday. I really hope this recipe saves you from the “what’s for dinner?” dread and gives you more time actually to enjoy your evening.
I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Did you stick to the classic recipe, or did you try a spicy Italian sausage one-pot pasta variation? Please drop a comment below or tag me on social media. Seeing your creations absolutely makes my day!
