The Coziest One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet Recipe

Comfort meets convenience in this smoked sausage pasta skillet that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

Rich, creamy cheese blends seamlessly with tender pasta and smoky sausage pieces.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of hearty ingredients and robust seasonings.

The dish comes together effortlessly in a single pan, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Protein-packed and satisfying, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.

Grab your skillet and prepare for a culinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

• Smoked Sausage: Brings rich, smoky flavor and hearty protein punch to create a satisfying main dish.
• Dry Pasta: Provides substantial base and absorbs delicious cooking liquid for ultimate comfort meal texture.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers deep, savory undertones that infuse the entire dish with richness.
• Milk: Creates creamy consistency and softens overall flavor profile.
• Diced Tomatoes With Chilies: Adds bright, spicy kick and tangy complexity to the recipe.
• Onion: Contributes sweet, aromatic base layer to build depth of flavor.
• Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent notes that elevate the entire dish.
• Paprika: Brings warm, slightly smoky essence and beautiful reddish color.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies all other seasonings.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and rounded spiciness.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into luxurious, creamy coating that binds ingredients and adds sharp, tangy richness.
• Green Onions: Optional garnish that introduces fresh, crisp brightness and visual appeal.

• Olive Oil: Creates perfect non-stick surface and adds subtle fruity undertone to initial cooking process.

Must-Have Tools for This One-Pot Pasta Skillet

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking all ingredients in one pan, ensuring maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking without scratching the skillet.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing sausage, dicing onions, and chopping green onions.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure broth, milk, and pasta.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Lid: Covers skillet during simmering to trap steam and cook pasta evenly.

Cooking One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet, Start to Finish

• Sizzle Sausage in Skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown sliced smoked sausage until golden and crispy.

• Awaken Aromatics

Toss in diced onions and cook until they turn translucent, then add minced garlic and let it release its fragrant magic.

• Build the Base

Pour in chicken broth, milk, dry pasta, diced tomatoes with chilies, and sprinkle paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together to create a delicious harmony.

• Simmer and Soften

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes until the pasta becomes perfectly tender.

• Cheese Transformation

Remove the lid and fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts into a luxurious, creamy sauce that hugs every pasta piece.

• Rest and Garnish

Allow the dish to sit for a couple of minutes so the sauce thickens, then top with chopped green onions for a fresh burst of flavor.

• Serve and Enjoy

Dish out this comforting one-pot wonder while it’s piping hot, ready to delight taste buds and warm hungry bellies.

Tips for Getting Extra Creaminess or Kick

• Slice sausage and chop veggies in advance to cut down total cooking time and make dinner assembly super fast.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack for extra kick, monterey jack for milder flavor, or gouda for rich depth.
• Easily substitute smoked sausage with chicken andouille, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot diced tomatoes with chilies, or replace with plain diced tomatoes for a kid-friendly version.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by adding frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for a complete one-pot meal.

Serve This Pasta Skillet for Busy Nights or Family Dinners

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather everyone around the table and enjoy this hearty pasta skillet as a comforting main course with warm bread and a simple green salad.
• Spicy Tex-Mex Style Twist: Top the dish with fresh jalapeños, sour cream, and chopped cilantro for an extra kick of southwestern flavor that adds excitement to the meal.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Companion: Pair this one-pot wonder with a crisp white wine or cold beer to make a simple dinner feel like a special occasion without extra dishes to wash.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Reheat the pasta the next day and add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture, then sprinkle with fresh green onions for a delicious lunch option that tastes just as good as the night before.

How to Store Leftovers of This Hearty Skillet Meal

• Slice sausage and chop onions ahead of time to reduce cooking time by 10 minutes.
• Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Portion and freeze individual servings in sealed containers for convenient future meals, maintaining taste and texture.
• Warm gently in microwave or skillet, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency and prevent dryness.

Hearty One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty one pot cheesy smoked sausage pasta skillet delivers comfort straight from a rustic kitchen, blending smoky sausage with creamy cheese and perfectly cooked pasta. Satisfying flavors meld together, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 14 oz (397 g) smoked sausage, sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) dry pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 (10 oz/283 g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Sear Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then brown sliced smoked sausage until caramelized edges develop, releasing rich flavor and creating a robust base for the dish.
2. Aromatics Preparation: Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing briefly to build a fragrant foundation that infuses the entire skillet with depth and complexity.
3. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth, milk, diced tomatoes with chilies, and seasonings into the skillet, combining with dry pasta to create a harmonious, creamy mixture that will simmer into a cohesive meal.
4. Pasta Infusion: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat, cover, and allow the pasta to absorb the liquid and cook thoroughly, creating a tender and flavorful one-pot wonder.
5. Cheese Finale: Remove lid and fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats every ingredient.
6. Serving Presentation: Allow the skillet to rest momentarily, letting the sauce thicken and develop a rich consistency, then garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish before serving hot.

Notes

• Select reduced-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty, especially with pre-seasoned smoked sausage.
• Watch liquid ratio carefully during cooking; add extra broth if pasta absorbs liquid too quickly to prevent sticking or burning in the skillet.
• Experiment with cheese varieties like pepper jack, gouda, or monterey jack for different flavor profiles while maintaining creamy texture.
• Swap smoked sausage with plant-based sausage or chicken sausage for alternative protein options, ensuring dietary flexibility without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 50mg