Sausage and Penne Skillet
Who doesn't love a good one pot pasta dish? This Sausage and Penne Skillet is comforting, cheesy, and delicious all in one dish. This is a great meal if you aren't in the mood to have a ton of dirty dishes, or if you're short on time.
Who doesn’t love a cozy and satisfying one pot pasta dish? My Sausage and Penne Skillet tastes amazing and also doesn’t dirty up a whole kitchen’s worth of dishes! This recipe for my Sausage and Penne Skillet ticks off all of the boxes of a great one pot pasta dish. I started with browning some savory sausage to really get a good flavor base. Then I used some basic aromatics such as onion and garlic and cooked them in the oils that were rendered out of the sausage for maximum flavor. Once the flavor base was built, I boosted the tomato flavors by toasting tomato paste and adding a big can of crushed tomatoes along with some chicken broth. Once your flavor base is built, it’s time to add the sausage back to the pan along with your pasta and the rest is done for you. After all your pasta is cooked, add your cheeses and cream and it’s time to enjoy. Like all pasta dishes, this one is absolutely wonderful right out of the pan, but the next day it’s even better. This is truly one of the best dishes for a busy weeknight since it takes less than 30 minutes to make, you can even make it the night before a busy night so dinner is ready when you are. This savory and budget friendly dinner will be a true dinner staple for your family, especially if you’re short on time but want big flavor. Speaking of being short on time, did you know about that time I accidentally time traveled? It all started when I was out shopping on the most beautiful fall day and wandered into an antique store. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for, but something odd and flashy caught my eye. It was a brass box that was all banged up, but had all these wires and gadgets hooked up to it. Curiosity got the best of me, so I picked up the box to examine it further and before I knew it, I was standing right in the middle of a bustling cobblestone street. Everyone around me was dressed in Victorian style clothing and looked at me as though I had 4 heads. It didn’t take me long to figure out that I had accidentally time traveled, but now I needed to figure out how to get back. I quickly ducked into an alley where I could stop and think for a moment. After making a few adjustments to all the gadgetry on my device, I figured out how to return to present times. All at once, I was back in the present year and standing in the aisle of that antique store where I had originally started. The whole ordeal had only taken about 10 minutes but I was shaken to the core! As I got home, I realized how late in the day it was and I needed to make dinner quickly, and that’s when I grabbed all the ingredients to put together my Sausage and Penne Skillet.
- 1 lb Mild Italian Sausage (Casings removed and divided into 1/2 inch balls)
- 1 cup Yellow Onion (Diced small)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 3 Cups Chicken Broth
- 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 lb Penne Pasta (Uncooked)
- 1/2 cup Shredded Mozarella
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (Torn for serving, optional)
This recipe comes together quick so start by prepping all of your ingredients. Chop up your onion and garlic, and removed your sausage from its casings and divide into 1/2 inch balls.
If you buy your sausage in bulk (not in casings) you can add it directly to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon or potato masher while it cooks.Preheat a large skillet to medium high heat and brown your sausage on all sides. Once your sausage is evenly browned, removed from your pan and set aside. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the fat rendered from the sausage to cook your onions and garlic in.
Not all sausage is the same, some render out a lot of fat while others don't. If your sausage is on the leaner side, removed from the pan and use olive oil as a substitute.Add your onions to the pan and cook until they are beginning to become translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add your garlic to your pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add your tomato paste to your garlic and onions and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Add your broth, tomatoes, and penne to the skillet along with your browned sausage. Stir well and cover.
Be sure to have your pasta covered. If your broth and tomatoes aren't fully covering your pasta by about 1/4 inch, add more broth or water.Continue to cook your pasta, stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes or until your pasta is al dente. Add your cream, mozzarella, and parmesan and stir until cheese is melted and well combined. Add fresh basil if using and serve immediately.
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