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Sausage and Tomato Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner made with Italian sausage, fresh tomatoes and basil. A quick, flavorful pasta perfect for busy nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Pasta is my go-to dinner when I’m short on time, ingredients or ideas, and this Sausage and Tomato Pasta is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes. It can be on the dinner table in under 30 minutes, but thanks to fresh tomatoes, basil and flavorful sausage, it tastes like you spent a lot more time on it.
Ready in 30 minutes. From start to finish, this easy pasta recipe is perfect for those nights when everyone is hungry and you need dinner on the table fast.
Fresh and flavorful. Fresh tomatoes and basil keep this pasta light and fresh while the sausage adds plenty of flavor.
Simple ingredients. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a delicious dinner. This is a great recipe for nights when you haven’t done much meal planning.
Perfect for garden season. If you grow tomatoes and basil in your garden, this recipe practically plans itself! It’s one of my favorite ways to put those fresh summer ingredients to good use.
Family friendly. Pasta is always a favorite at our house, and the combination of sausage, tomatoes and basil is simple enough for the whole family to enjoy.
Ingredients Needed
- Penne Pasta or pasta shape of your choice
- Italian Sausage
- Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- Fresh Basil Leaves
How to Make Sausage and Tomato Pasta
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Heat oil in a non stick pan over medium high heat.
- Add sausage and onion and cook until sausage is cooked through and crumbly, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for and additional 2 -3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in pasta.
- Add cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and basil.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Use ripe tomatoes. Since fresh tomatoes are an important part of this recipe, use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find. Garden tomatoes are especially delicious.
- Don’t overcook the tomatoes. You want the tomatoes to soften and release some of their juices while still keeping some of their fresh flavor and texture.
- Salt your pasta water. Be generous with the salt. It’s your opportunity to season the pasta itself and makes a big difference in the finished dish.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente. The pasta will continue to absorb some of the sauce after everything is combined, so avoid overcooking it.
- Adjust the heat. Use mild Italian sausage for a family-friendly version or hot Italian sausage if you like a little more spice.
- You can use any kind of noodle you like, but corkscrew pasta helps hold onto your pasta sauce.
- Rinse your pasta in a colander after cooking to remove any excess starch and to help stop the noodles from sticking together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
You can, although fresh tomatoes give this pasta its signature fresh flavor. If tomatoes aren’t in season, good-quality canned diced tomatoes can be substituted.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if the pasta seems dry.
What can I serve with Sausage and Tomato Pasta?
Keep it simple with a green salad and some garlic bread or crusty bread. It’s a quick dinner, so I like to keep the sides quick and easy too!
Can I make Sausage and Tomato Pasta ahead of time?
This pasta is best served fresh, but you can cook the sausage and tomato mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it. Reheat it while the pasta cooks, then combine everything just before serving.
This Sausage and Tomato Pasta proves that you don’t need a lot of time or a long list of ingredients to put a delicious dinner on the table. With flavorful Italian sausage, juicy fresh tomatoes and plenty of basil, it’s an easy 30-minute meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. And when the garden is overflowing with tomatoes and basil, it’s an even better reason to put this pasta on the dinner menu!
Check out more of my favorite easy pasta recipes:
Be sure and follow me over on YouTube for weekly cooking demos.
Sausage and Tomato Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz. penne pasta uncooked
- 8 oz. sweet or mild Italian sausage ground
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 tsp garlic minced
- 1 1/4 lbs. tomatoes chopped
- 6 Tbsp Parmesan cheese grated and divided
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup basil leaves torn or chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
- Heat a non stick pan over medium high heat, Add oil to pan.
- Add sausage and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until sausage is cooked through and crumbly.
- Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for 2 -3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in pasta. Add 2 Tbsp cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and basil.
Tips & Notes:
- Use ripe tomatoes. Since fresh tomatoes are an important part of this recipe, use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find. Garden tomatoes are especially delicious.
- Don’t overcook the tomatoes. You want the tomatoes to soften and release some of their juices while still keeping some of their fresh flavor and texture.
- Salt your pasta water. Be generous with the salt. It’s your opportunity to season the pasta itself and makes a big difference in the finished dish.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente. The pasta will continue to absorb some of the sauce after everything is combined, so avoid overcooking it.
- Adjust the heat. Use mild Italian sausage for a family-friendly version or hot Italian sausage if you like a little more spice.
- You can use any kind of noodle you like, but corkscrew pasta helps hold onto your pasta sauce.
- Rinse your pasta in a colander after cooking to remove any excess starch and to help stop the noodles from sticking together.
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Nutrition Facts:
Janette B says
Leigh Anne-thanks for the Cooking Light recipe- I definitely want to try it and would love more! Fast recipes are always a plus too-everyone is busy! love the new look to your blog!
Debbie H says
Thanks, Leigh Anne, for this post! My husband and I love Cooking Light, but we got away from it in the past year or two because we thought that the recipes were taking too much time. I love the stop watch tested feature! Thanks for the review–that recipe looks great! And we’ll take another look at Cooking Light!
Valerie H. says
I love Cooking Light magazine. Leigh Anne, Your blog
is really looking great!
Sheree says
This recipe looks so yummy. My husband is a stay-at-home dad and he is slowly learning how to make different meals. I find when I make something new a couple of times and he likes it, he will try and make it the next time, therfore, I am heading to Fresh N Easy today to get what I need for this yummy looking recipe! It’s kind of like reverse psychology :o) Shhhhh
Dori says
I’ve just finished a renovation on my kitchen and I just have to tell you that I kept going back to the pictures of your kitchen while in the process! Your green backsplash caught my eye the very first day you posted pictures of your favorite place. (My kitchen is definitely my favorite room in the house!) I was having trouble picking out tile for a backsplash – I wanted to use the big 13×13 tiles and my decorator wasn’t so sure. Until I showed here your picture! Thanks for the inspiration! The tiles look great as does the entire kitchen! 🙂