One Pot Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner
Everyone will love this easy one-pot spaghetti and sausage dinner! It’s baked in the oven with a crisp breadcrumb topping.
The crispy breadcrumbs set this one-pot spaghetti and sausage dinner apart from the rest. The dinner is completed in one large skillet or sauté pan. It starts on the stovetop with the browned sausage and sautéed aromatics, then the hot water and pasta are added. The covered spaghetti meal is baked in the oven until the water has been absorbed and the pasta is tender. It’s the ideal meal for a busy evening because it needs little attention. Cleanup is also a breeze with just one pot—a skillet or sauté pan. You won’t need a pasta pot or colander.
Why You’ll Love It
One-pot convenience. Everything cooks in one skillet or sauté pan — no pasta pot or colander needed.
Bold flavor, minimal effort. Browned sausage, tomato paste, and aromatics give this meal rich depth without extra work.
Crispy topping. A Parmesan and breadcrumb crust adds texture and sets this pasta apart from typical stovetop versions.
Perfect for busy nights. With only 10 minutes of prep and hands-off oven time, it’s ideal for weeknights.
Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: Sweet or mild Italian sausage works well, but you can use spicy, garlic, or even turkey sausage for variety.
- Vegetables: The trio of onion, celery, and carrot adds aromatic depth and sweetness.
- Tomato paste: Adds concentrated flavor and color to the base of the sauce.
- Spaghetti: Thin spaghetti is best for cooking evenly in the oven — break it into shorter lengths to fit easily in the pan.
- Topping: A mix of Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, and parsley finishes the dish with a crisp, golden crust.
Steps to Make One Pot Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner
- Start by browning the sausages in a large oven-safe skillet, then set them aside while you sauté the onion, celery, and carrot. Add tomato paste, garlic, and seasoning to build the flavor base.
- Pour in boiling water, stir in the spaghetti, and return the sausage to the pan. Bring it to a simmer, cover, and bake in the oven until the pasta is tender and the liquid absorbed.
- Mix the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, and olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the baked spaghetti and broil for a few minutes until golden and crisp.
- Let it stand briefly before serving.
Variations
- Meat: Change it up with browned ground beef, ground turkey, or chorizo.
- Herbs: Replace the parsley with chopped basil.
- Topping: The breadcrumbs give the pasta and sausage texture, but you could ditch the crumbs and use a combination of Parmesan cheese and fontina or mozzarella for a rich, melty finish.
What to Serve With This Meal
- Bread. You can make garlic bread with garlic butter and a baguette, or try this garlic pull-apart loaf made with biscuits. Garlic butter crescents are another great choice!
- Caesar Salad: The tangy flavors of a Caesar salad pair well with a tomato and sausage pasta meal.
- Mushrooms: Sautéed or stuffed mushrooms would add a savory element to the meal.
- Vegetables: Add bright flavor and color to the dinner with broccolini or creamed spinach.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze? Not ideal, as the pasta may become soft and the topping lose its crispness. If needed, freeze in portions and reheat with added moisture.
To Reheat: Reheat in a 325°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until warmed through. Broil briefly to re-crisp the topping. For quicker reheating, use the microwave and add a splash of water or broth to keep the pasta moist.
One Pot Spaghetti and Sausage Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 Italian sausages
- 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup carrot, diced
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces spaghetti, broken
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients. Heat the oven to 425°F.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and sear, turning frequently, for about 5 minutes or until browned on all sides.
- Remove the sausages to a plate and set aside. Add the onion, celery, and carrot to the skillet and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 4 minutes or until the onion is lightly browned. Add the tomato paste, garlic, and Italian seasoning; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Pour the boiling water over the vegetables in the sauté pan. Add the spaghetti and stir to blend. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Place the sausages on the spaghetti mixture and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and transfer it to the oven.
- Bake the spaghetti for 25 to 30 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove the pan from the oven and set the oven to broil. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and chopped parsley. Toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the spaghetti, then place the pan under the broiler for about 3 minutes, or until the topping crumbs are crisp and golden brown.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
