Easy Recipe: One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta

This one pot smoked sausage pasta dish entices with a medley of savory flavors and vibrant colors. Tender sausage mingles with perfectly cooked pasta, aromatic garlic, onions, and red bell pepper in a luscious tomato broth sauce spiced with oregano and basil. A comforting meal, ideal for weeknights and irresistible.

I want to share my easy recipe for one pot smoked sausage pasta that I think is a great go-to meal when you’re short on time. I use 1 lb smoked sausage sliced into rounds, 12 oz pasta, a diced medium onion and fresh minced garlic along with red bell pepper.

They all combine with a can of diced tomatoes, chicken broth and tomato paste which creates a hearty, flavorful sauce. I add dried oregano, dried basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes for that little extra kick.

I find its balanced nutritional value helps fuel my busy days with a good mix of protein and carbs which is perfect for a quick meal. Its a recipe that fits well with popular smoked sausage dishes, easy dinner ideas and even touches on that home-made vibe you love.

I made it simple and delicious focusing on taste over frills so everyone can enjoy a satisfying meal.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because its super easy to make and everything cooks in one pot so clean-up is a breeze. I also love the way the smoky sausage mixes with the tangy tomatoes and spices to build a really rich flavor thats hard to beat. Plus, it comes together pretty fast which is perfect for those busy nights when I don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Lastly, I like that I can tweak the spice level if I want a little extra kick or keep it mild depending on my mood.

Ingredients

• Smoked sausage gives a rich savory flavor and packs plenty of protein for energy.
• Pasta brings in filling carbohydrates with a satisfying, chewy texture to the dish.
• Onion adds a natural sweetness when cooked and works great for flavor.
• Garlic boosts the taste with its strong aroma and offers immune benefits.
• Red bell pepper provides vibrant color, crunch, vitamins and a slightly sweet kick.
• Diced tomatoes offer a tangy zest and are rich in antioxidants for healthy flavor.
• Chicken broth establishes a warm, savory base that ties the flavors smoothly.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
• 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add your 1 lb smoked sausage slices and cook until they get a nice brown color; take them out once done.

2. In the same pot add the diced 1 medium onion and 1 red bell pepper and cook them for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.

3. Toss in 3 minced garlic cloves and stir for 1-2 minutes carefully so they don’t burn.

4. Mix in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if you like a little kick, and let them cook together for about a minute.

5. Pour in a can (1
4.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juice and 3 cups chicken broth, stirring well to combine all the flavors.

6. Bring the mixture to a simmer then add 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni work great), making sure the pasta is almost covered by the liquid.

7. Return the browned sausage slices back into the pot and stir everything together.

8. Let the pasta and sausage simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking and letting the pasta cook until it is al dente.

9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Once the pasta is done, remove from heat, let it sit for a couple minutes then serve warm and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot (for browning sausage and cooking pasta)
2. Stove (to heat and simmer all your ingredients)
3. Knife (for slicing sausage and chopping veggies)
4. Cutting board (for dicing onion, red bell pepper, and mincing garlic)
5. Measuring spoons and cups (to get the right amounts of spices, broth, and tomato paste)
6. Wooden spoon or spatula (to stir everything together)
7. Can opener (to open the can of diced tomatoes)

FAQ

Easy Recipe: One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta Substitutions and Variations

• If you don’t have smoked sausage, try using chorizo or kielbasa instead. They work pretty well in this recipe.
• If you can’t find penne or rigatoni, you can use any other short pasta like fusilli or farfalle which will also catch the sauce nicely.
• If you’re out of diced tomatoes, swap them for crushed tomatoes or a can of tomato sauce (just cut back on the chicken broth a bit).
• If chicken broth isn’t available, vegetable broth or even water with a bouillon cube gives a good flavor kick.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you really brown the sausage until it’s nice and crispy before taking it out. This step adds a ton of flavor so don’t rush it, and try not to crowd the pan so they get a good sear.

2. When you cook the onions, peppers, and garlic, keep the heat in check so nothing burns. I’ve learned that adding the garlic once the onions and peppers are soft makes a huge difference in keeping that garlic flavor smooth instead of bitter.

3. Keep an eye on the pasta while it simmers in the sauce. Stir it a few times to stop it from sticking to the bottom and add a bit more chicken broth if it starts to look too dry.

4. For an extra flavor boost, try sprinkling a touch of extra dried herbs or even a few fresh ones right when you take the dish off the heat. It gives the whole dish a fresher, brighter taste that really pops.