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Whip up a fancy pasta meal with barely any dishes to wash afterward using this tasty one-pot approach. The Italian sausage blends perfectly with tangy tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella while your pasta cooks right in the same pot. You'll have dinner on the table in half an hour, turning basic ingredients into a dinner your family won't forget.
One hectic evening, this dish rescued my dinner plans when I figured out I could make a creamy sauce while the pasta cooked in one pot. Adding mozzarella transformed a basic sauce into something amazing that my family now asks for every week.
Key Ingredients
- Italian sausage: Squeeze from casings for better texture
- Fresh garlic: Pick ones that feel heavy
- Crushed tomatoes: Gives the right sauce thickness
- Beef broth: Forms the tasty base
- Good pasta: Matters for proper starch release
- Genuine mozzarella: Makes everything extra smooth
Cooking Process
- Getting Sausage Ready:
- Crumble sausage into tiny chunks in hot pot, cooking until nicely browned. Pour off extra grease but keep all those tasty bits stuck to the bottom.
- Building Flavor:
- Throw in tomato paste and chopped garlic, letting them cook until they smell amazing. Mix in dry herbs and spices bit by bit so flavors can really develop.
- Adding Pasta:
- Pour broth and crushed tomatoes in, letting everything start bubbling. Drop pasta in carefully so it's all covered by liquid. Keep an eye on fluid levels, tweaking heat and adding more broth if needed.
- Finishing Touch:
- Once pasta feels just right, slowly mix in mozzarella. Put the lid on and let it sit briefly so cheese melts completely into the sauce.
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What makes this dish special is the starch that comes out of the pasta during cooking. It naturally thickens everything into a silky sauce that sticks to every bit of spaghetti, making each mouthful super tasty.
Round Out Your Dinner
Make your pasta even better with some buttery garlic bread and a crisp Caesar salad on the side. Sprinkle fresh Parmesan and torn basil on top just before eating. Keep some red pepper flakes handy for anyone who likes it spicy.
Make It Your Own
Switch things up by using hot Italian sausage for a kick or try different pasta shapes. Toss in some mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra veggies. Skip the cheese if you want something lighter, or add more for extra richness.
Storing Leftovers
Store any extra pasta in sealed containers for up to three days. When reheating, do it slowly on the stove with a splash of broth to keep the sauce nice and smooth. Try to eat it within two days for the best taste and texture.
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This one-pot pasta has totally changed how I cook on weeknights. With hardly any cleanup and tons of flavor, it's become what I make when I want something delicious without spending forever in the kitchen. The mix of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and melty cheese gets everyone running to the table for a truly satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What sausage works best?
- Use any type of Italian sausage, either ground or taken out of the casing.
- → Pasta not done enough?
- Pour in more broth and keep cooking until it’s tender.
- → Too much sauce left?
- Let it cook longer so the pasta soaks up the liquid.
- → Want it spicier?
- Sprinkle in extra red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- → What’s the best pot for this?
- A Dutch oven or a large pot does a great job.