One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
3 tablespoons olive oil
02 -
2 pounds smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized pieces
03 -
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquid & Sauce
05 -
2 cups chicken broth
06 -
1 can (12 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 -
½ cup heavy cream
08 -
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Pasta & Cheese
09 -
8 oz dry whole wheat bow tie pasta (or other small pasta shapes)
10 -
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
# Instructions:
01 -
Slice the smoked sausage into bite-sized rounds, about ¼-inch thick, making them easy to eat and distribute throughout the pasta.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sliced sausage, cooking until the onions soften and the sausage develops a nice brown color, about 5-7 minutes.
03 -
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Don't let it burn - garlic can go from perfect to bitter quickly!
04 -
Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with their juice, heavy cream, and black pepper to the pot. Stir everything together to combine the flavors.
05 -
Add the dry pasta directly to the pot, stirring it into the sauce mixture. Make sure all the pasta is covered with liquid - add a bit more broth if needed.
06 -
Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
07 -
Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and creates a creamy sauce.
08 -
Serve immediately while hot and creamy, topped with the remaining cup of cheese if desired. The cheese will melt beautifully on the hot pasta.
# Notes:
01 -
This is perfect for busy weeknights since everything cooks in one pot with minimal cleanup
02 -
You can substitute different pasta shapes - just keep them small so they cook evenly
03 -
Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess
04 -
Try adding spinach or bell peppers during the last few minutes for extra vegetables