One-Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta

Smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a creamy cheddar sauce — all made in one pot for easy cooking and even easier cleanup.

🛒 Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
14 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Brown the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat.
Add sliced sausage and cook 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside (optional for extra color).

2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
In the same pot, add onion and cook 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.

3️⃣ Add Liquids & Pasta
Pour in chicken broth, milk, and diced tomatoes (if using).
Stir in pasta, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

4️⃣ Simmer
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

5️⃣ Add Cheese & Sausage
Return sausage to the pot. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk.

6️⃣ Serve
Garnish with parsley and extra cheese if desired.

🍽 Servings

Serves 4–5

🥗 Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: ~520
Protein: 20g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 28g

💡 Tips

Use smoked turkey sausage for a lighter version.
Add bell peppers or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy kick.
Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of milk.