Description
This One Pan Orecchiette Pasta delivers tender pasta, savory sausage, vibrant vegetables, and a creamy, rich sauce—all made in one skillet. It saves time, minimizes cleanup, and brings maximum comfort and flavor to your table.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound (450 g) Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
3 cups (710 ml) chicken broth
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
12 ounces (340 g) dried orecchiette pasta
2 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
Brown the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, break it apart, and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and caramelized.
Sauté the Vegetables
Add onion and red bell pepper; cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook 1–2 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes.
Add the Liquid Base
Lower heat to medium. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook the Orecchiette
Add dried orecchiette. Stir and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens. Add remaining ¼ teaspoon salt if needed.
Add Greens and Cheese
Stir in spinach until wilted. Add Parmesan and mix until creamy.
Finish and Serve
Add basil and lemon zest right before serving for extra freshness.
Notes
If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth.
For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half.
Stir the pasta often to prevent sticking since everything cooks in one pan.
For extra creaminess, add an additional ¼ cup Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: One-pan / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1040 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: One pan orecchiette pasta, creamy orecchiette, one pot pasta, sausage pasta skillet, easy weeknight pasta