Pin it
Some nights just call for a gooey skillet of cheese-covered pasta packed with tasty sausage and tons of flavor. This one-pan cheesy sausage pasta quickly became our go-to when we needed something warm and filling without making a mess of the kitchen.
I first threw this meal together during a hectic evening when our fridge was nearly empty. Now my hubby perks up at the scent of sizzling onions and sausage, while the kids try to sneak bits of bubbling cheese before we sit down.
What You'll Need
- Olive oil: makes everything silky and browns the meat nicely. Grab extra virgin if you want richer taste
- Sausage: brings all the hearty flavor to your dish. Switch between kielbasa, hot Italian, or veggie sausage for variety
- Diced onion: builds a tasty foundation. Regular yellow onions work best for sweetness when cooked
- Minced garlic: adds that punch of flavor. Fresh cloves beat the stuff in jars hands down
- Chicken broth: creates your sauce base. Pick low sodium types if you want to control the salt
- Diced tomatoes: add juicy chunks and tang. The fire-roasted kind bump up the flavor
- Milk: turns everything creamy. Full fat works best but 2% can do the job too
- Dry pasta: cooks right in the sauce. Grab sturdy shapes like rotini or bowties
- Salt: pulls all flavors together. Start small and taste as you go
- Pepper: adds a bit of warmth. Grind it fresh for the biggest impact
- Shredded Cheddar Jack cheese: creates that stretchy, gooey magic. Grate it yourself for the smoothest melt
- Red pepper flakes: bring a touch of warmth. Don't skip them even for kids, just use less
- Chopped scallions: finish with a fresh crunch. Toss them on right at the end
How To Make It
- Brown Your Meat and Onions:
- Warm up a big skillet over medium flame. Pour in olive oil, then toss in your diced onions and sausage. Let them sizzle for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then. You want golden-brown sausage and soft, clear onions. If there's too much grease, spoon some out.
- Mix In Flavors:
- Toss in the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Keep stirring for 2 minutes. The garlic should get soft but not dark, and you'll smell all those spices come alive.
- Start Your Pasta:
- Pour in the chicken broth, tomatoes with all their juice, and milk. Add your dry pasta and stir everything well. Make sure most of the pasta sits under the liquid. Turn up the heat until you see bubbles forming.
- Let It All Cook:
- Once bubbling, turn heat down low and put a lid on. Let it all simmer quietly for about 15 minutes. Stir once halfway so nothing sticks to the bottom. You'll know it's ready when pasta feels tender and most liquid has disappeared.
- Add The Cheesy Magic:
- Take off the lid. With heat on low, sprinkle in all that shredded cheese. Stir constantly while it melts into a thick, gooey sauce that hugs every bit of pasta.
- Top It Off and Serve:
- Turn off the heat. Scatter green scallions all over the top. Scoop steaming portions into bowls right away. This is when everyone will suddenly appear in the kitchen!
Pin it
The best thing about this dish has to be how the Cheddar Jack turns into this amazing velvety blanket over every single piece of pasta. Back when I was a kid, I watched my mom grab a spoon to get every last bit of cheese from the pan corners. Now my children do exactly the same thing, and it always warms my heart.
Keeping Leftovers
Make sure everything's cooled down before putting leftovers in a sealed container. They'll stay good in your fridge for up to 3 days. The cheese actually helps keep the pasta from drying out. When heating it up again, add a tiny splash of milk to make the sauce creamy again.
Swapping Ingredients
Don't have sausage? No problem. Try using shredded rotisserie chicken, browned ground turkey, or skip meat completely with veggie sausage instead. Any chunky pasta shapes work fine—just don't use thin noodles as they'll turn soggy.
What To Serve With It
This pasta stands on its own, but you can make it a complete meal by adding a simple green salad or some roasted veggies on the side. In our house, we never say no to a chunk of crusty bread for soaking up all that amazing sauce.
Family Dinner Traditions
One-pan meals like this have saved countless busy families over the years. My crew loves how it combines American comfort food with Italian pasta night feels. The trio of cheese, sausage, and pasta never fails to get everyone gathered around our table.
Pin it
This easy skillet meal will quickly become your busy night solution. It's warm, filling and super cheesy—everyone at your table will be scraping their plates clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use a protein other than sausage?
Of course! Try using chicken, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives for a different twist.
- → What pasta shape works the best here?
Stick with short varieties like shells, penne, or even rotini to catch all that creamy sauce.
- → Is this dish spicy or mild?
It has a gentle kick from the red pepper, but feel free to dial it up or skip it.
- → How do I store any leftovers?
Pop it in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk if it thickened up.
- → Can I prep this meal ahead of time?
Sure! Heat it up before serving and garnish it with fresh scallions to make it feel fresh.
- → What are good sides to serve with this?
Toss together a crisp green salad or warm up some garlic bread to go with it!