One-Pot Pork Sausage Spaghetti

If you ask me, spaghetti with pork sausage is one of those reliable comfort meals everyone needs in their recipe box.

This classic Italian-American dinner brings together tender pasta and savory sausage in a rich tomato sauce that’s both simple and satisfying. The pork sausage adds just the right amount of flavor and a hint of spice to the dish.

It’s the kind of meal that comes together with minimal fuss – brown the sausage, simmer the sauce, and toss with perfectly cooked pasta. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil are all you need to finish it off.

It’s a tried-and-true family dinner that’s filling and cozy, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something that feels like a warm hug.

What Kind of Pork Sausage Should I Use?

Italian sausage is the go-to choice for this pasta dish, and you’ve got options between sweet (mild) or hot varieties depending on how spicy you like your food. If you can’t find Italian sausage, regular pork sausages will work just fine – just remove them from their casings before cooking. The key is to look for sausages with a good amount of seasoning and around 20% fat content, which helps create a flavorful sauce. For the best results, choose fresh sausages from your butcher or the meat counter rather than pre-cooked varieties, as they’ll give your sauce a better flavor and texture when crumbled and browned.

Options for Substitutions

This pasta dish is pretty adaptable and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Pork sausages: You can use any type of sausage you like – Italian sausage works great, or try chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option. Just remove the meat from the casings before cooking.
• Spaghetti: While spaghetti is classic, any pasta shape will work here. Try penne, fusilli, or rigatoni – just cook according to the package instructions.
• Crushed tomatoes: If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, use whole peeled tomatoes and break them up with a spoon, or try passata. In a pinch, diced tomatoes work too.
• Frozen peas: Not a fan of peas? Skip them or swap with frozen spinach, broccoli florets, or any other veggie you enjoy. Fresh vegetables work too – just add them a bit earlier to ensure they’re properly cooked.
• Parsley: Fresh basil makes a nice alternative to parsley, or you can skip the herbs altogether if you don’t have any on hand.
• Paprika and chili flakes: Feel free to adjust the heat level by using more or less chili flakes. You can also use cayenne pepper or regular paprika if that’s what you have.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making sausage spaghetti is cooking the pasta too early – always start your sauce first since perfectly timed pasta is crucial for the overall dish. Another common error is not removing the sausage casings before cooking, which can lead to chewy texture in your sauce – simply slice the casing lengthwise and peel it off before breaking the meat into small chunks while cooking. When it comes to the sauce consistency, adding all the water at once can make it too thin – instead, add it gradually while the sauce simmers, allowing you to control the thickness. For the best flavor development, don’t rush the onion and garlic cooking process – let them slowly caramelize for about 5-7 minutes until they’re soft and golden, which creates a flavorful base for your sauce. Remember to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining your spaghetti – this starchy liquid is perfect for adjusting the sauce consistency at the end if needed.

What to Serve With Sausage Spaghetti?

This hearty pasta dish calls for some simple sides that won’t overshadow the main event. A fresh green salad with crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a light Italian dressing makes the perfect partner to cut through the richness of the sausage and pasta. For a warm side, try some garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the tasty tomato sauce – plus, who doesn’t love extra bread with pasta? If you want to add more veggies to your meal, roasted broccoli or zucchini seasoned with just olive oil, salt, and pepper works really well with these Italian flavors.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This sausage spaghetti is great for leftovers! Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you’re storing the pasta separately from the sauce, toss the pasta with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.

Freeze: The sauce freezes really well – just pop it in a freezer-safe container and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to freeze the sauce without the pasta since noodles can get a bit mushy when frozen. When you’re ready to eat, just cook up fresh pasta to go with your defrosted sauce.

Reheat: To warm up your leftovers, add a splash of water or pasta cooking water to the sauce and heat it gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. You can also use the microwave – just heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it’s hot throughout. The pasta might need an extra minute to heat through completely.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	25-35 minutes
Total Time	35-50 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-150 g

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon paprika flakes
• 350 grams (12 ounces) pork sausages
• 1 can (400 grams/14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• ½ can of water
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 250 grams (9 ounces) spaghetti
• 1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage Filling

Squeeze the filling out of each sausage and discard the casing.

Use your fingers to break up the sausage filling into smaller pieces and set it aside for later use.

Step 2: Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables

Heat some oil in your favorite skillet or pan over a medium-high flame.

Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they are translucent.

Then, add the minced garlic, paprika, and the prepared sausage filling.

Stir continuously to break up the sausage meat as it cooks until it is no longer raw.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Once the sausage is cooked, add in the tomatoes, some water, chili, peas, and your choice of seasoning.

Stir the mixture well and allow it to simmer for at least 15 minutes.

The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will develop.

Step 4: Cook the Spaghetti

As the sauce is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes, or according to the package directions, until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

When the sauce is ready, sprinkle chopped parsley over it for freshness.

Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it into the skillet with the sauce.

Stir everything together until the spaghetti is well-coated with the sauce.

Serve the dish garnished with additional parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your delicious sausage spaghetti!