Description
Savory one pot cheesy smoked sausage pasta skillet brings comfort and convenience to weeknight dining. Creamy cheese, tender sausage, and perfectly cooked pasta combine in a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) smoked sausage, sliced
Pasta and Liquid Base:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) dry pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium flame, creating a perfect cooking surface.
- Introduce sliced smoked sausage, allowing it to develop a rich golden-brown exterior through careful browning.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions, sautéing until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet, stirring briefly to unlock its intense fragrance without burning.
- Create a flavorful liquid base by combining chicken broth, milk, uncooked pasta, zesty diced tomatoes with chilies, and a blend of paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Encourage the mixture to reach a gentle bubbling point, then reduce heat and cover, allowing the pasta to absorb the liquid and become perfectly tender.
- After the pasta reaches ideal consistency, unveil the skillet and integrate shredded cheddar cheese, gently folding until it melts into a luxurious, creamy sauce.
- Allow the dish to rest momentarily, enabling the sauce to thicken and develop deeper flavors.
- For a final touch of freshness, scatter chopped green onions across the top before serving the steaming skillet directly to eager diners.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy diced tomatoes with chilies to match your preferred spice tolerance.
- Swap regular milk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a lactose-free version of the dish.
- Use whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value and add extra fiber to the meal.
- Select low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content and make the recipe more heart-healthy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg