One Pot Spicy Sausage Pasta with Tomato Sauce

This one pot spicy sausage pasta with tomato sauce is the perfect weeknight meal!

Bursting with flavor, this easy pasta recipe will be on your table in just 45 minutes.

This one pot pasta uses simple pantry items and fresh ingredients, plus it can easily be made during busy weeknights too!

This one-pot pasta checks all the boxes for me. With pasta dishes like this One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta and this One Pot French Onion Pasta, you get a meal with incredible flavors but made in just a single pot.  All of the ingredients cook together so the flavours meld perfectly and the starch from the pasta noodles contributes to a beautiful, luscious sauce.

Not only will your family love this easy dinner idea, you can easily serve this one pot spicy sausage pasta as a main dish for a dinner party too.

It’s one of my favorite recipes to make since it’s a great way to serve a group of people with ease.

Why you’ll love this one pot spicy sausage pasta

• I’m using simple pantry ingredients that I’m sure you already have in your kitchen!

• Spicy Italian sausage simmers in a red wine based tomato sauce and then topped with parmesan cheese, truly the comfiest coziest pasta recipe!

• This is the perfect pasta dish to make when the weather gets chilly, it is bursting with so many warming flavours.

• This is a great weeknight dinner recipe since it takes just 45 minutes to make this dish.

• One pot pasta recipes are a huge time saver since everything cooks in just a single pot!

As the temperatures begin to fall and holiday season is around the corner, this is the perfect easy meal to make anytime you’re craving a comforting bowl of food. Also, a one pot pasta means fewer dishes which is always a big checkmark in my books!

Ingredients Needed for this one pot pasta dish

Spicy Italian Sauce: I love using spicy italian sausages since they pair well with the red wine and tomatoes. Make sure to remove the sausage meat from the casing before you start to cook!

Pasta: I love using linguine in this one pot pasta recipe, but you can also use another type of pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine in a pinch as they have a similar cooking time.

Red Wine: feel free to swap out the red wine for chicken broth, beef broth or even water.

Parmesan: I will never say no to a sprinkle of shredded cheese on a pasta dish.

Canned tomatoes: You can use whole or diced tomatoes in this recipe; both will cook down into the pasta sauce you’re looking for.

Fresh herbs: Fresh basil and parsley are key to building the flavours in this recipe.

Step by Step Process to make this one pot spicy sausage pasta

Step 1: In a 3.5 quart braiser or high-sided large pot, add a little olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the sausage meat and cook until golden, about 10-12 minutes. Use a spoon to break the sausage into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Turn to medium heat and add the minced garlic, cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Stir in the red wine and cook until it has mostly evaporated.

Step 4: Add the tomatoes with their juices, the basil, parsley, and salt and pepper. Use a spoon to stir together and break the tomatoes into smaller pieces if you’re using whole tomatoes.

Step 5: Add the water and stir to combine with all of the ingredients in the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to medium-high to keep at a strong simmer.

Step 6: Add in the dried linguine pasta and as the noodles start to slightly soften in the sauce, use a spoon or tongs to fold the noodles gently into the sauce. The pot could be quite full at this point and that’s ok; just be gentle as you move the noodles around for the first few minutes of cooking time.

Step 7: Cover and cook for 5 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes. Stir and turn the noodles often so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. You want to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and you’ll be left with a delicious tomato sauce enveloping the noodles.

Step 8: Stir the shredded parmesan cheese until fully combined and let sit for a few minutes. Garnish with more fresh parsley and basil and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Expert Tips for making this one pot spicy sausage pasta meal

• The spice level in this recipe really depends on the hot italian sausage you use as some brands pack more spice than others. If you want to control the spicy flavor a bit more, use mild italian sausage instead. Then, add 1/4-1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes or chili flakes to start when cooking the sausage. You can add more chili flakes as you cook depending on the spice level desired. Taste and adjust as you cook!

• Serve this spicy sausage pasta with a fresh loaf of ciabatta or baguette with butter. Add some more veggies by serving with a fresh salad like my simple green salad recipe or a kale and brussels sprouts salad.

• If you’re looking for a wine suggestion, I recommend serving a medium-bodied wine like a Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon.

• If you want to boost the veggies in this dish, you can add sauteed green and/or red bell pepper or mushrooms! Saute them first then set aside in a bowl. Follow the recipe and then stir in the sauteed vegetables at the end.  Alternatively, you could stir in a large handful or two of fresh baby spinach for a green veggie boost!

FAQ

What do I do if my pasta isn’t cooked by the recommended time? 
If the pasta hasn’t finished cooking and most of the liquid has been absorbed to make the sauce, you can add ½ cup of water and continue cooking until the pasta is al dente.

Can I use a chicken sausage instead?
YES! While most spicy italian sausage are pork sausage, I’ve made this recipe using spicy Italian chicken sausages too and the recipe turns out just as delicious. Alternatively, if you find a spicy turkey sausage, that can work as well!

What if I don’t want to use wine?
Swap out the wine for beef broth, chicken broth, vegetable broth or even water if you don’t want to use red wine or don’t have it on hand!  Alternatively, you could try using a non-alcoholic red wine as an option.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
You can use 1 tbsp dried parsley to replace the fresh parsley. And, if you need to replace the fresh basil use 2 tbsp dried basil.

Is this recipe good for meal prepping?
Absolutely! Make this pasta recipe ahead of time and then let completely cool. Pack into 3-4 airtight containers to store in the fridge. Reheat on medium-low in a frying pan or in the microwave for lunch or dinner. If you want to add more vegetables, saute some peppers and/or mushrooms too and pack with each container as well.

Storage

Store this one pot spicy sausage pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

More one pot recipes to love from the blog:

One Pot Boursin Pasta

One Pan Baked Chicken with Tomatoes & Oregano

One Pot Viral French Onion Pasta

Easy One Pot Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

One Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup