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This One-Pan Spicy Sausage Skillet is ready in just 30 minutes! Made with pasta, sausage and cheese, it’s a family dinner idea everyone will love!
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Pin It NowSpicy Sausage Skillet: An Easy One Pot Dinner!
Looking for a weeknight dinner that’s easy, comforting, and ready in 30 minutes? This Spicy Sausage Skillet checks all the boxes: smoky sausage, creamy pasta and gooey cheese with just enough of a kick to keep things exciting.
My favorite part? It all comes together in one pan which means less mess and fewer dishes. Win win!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- One pan, easy clean-up!
- 30 minutes start to finish!
- Customizable heat – make it mild or as spicy as you’d like!
This Spicy Sausage Skillet has been a favorite around here for at least 10 years!
Life is short. Eat good food!
❤️ Ashley
ingredients
Here’s a quick glance at what you’ll need along with my suggestions for alternatives if needed.
- Sausage: I use pre-cooked spicy chicken sausage but kielbasa, andouille or smoked sausage all work.
- Onion and garlic: adds so much flavor!
- Spinach: take it or leave it. Kale is also a great option.
- Pasta: rotini, penne, or whatever pasta you love.
- Chicken broth and heavy cream: this creates the creamy, irresistible sauce!
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles: commonly known as Ro*Tel. This adds heat. If you’d like to minimize the spiciness, use a can of diced tomatoes instead.
- Cheese: I love a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- Green onions: for garnish! Fresh parsley also works here.
how to make spicy sausage skillet
This is a one-pan dinner idea that comes together quickly. Here are the step-by-step instructions (the full written recipe including ingredient amounts is available in the printable recipe card below) for how to make this spicy sausage skillet:
- Cook sausage and onion:
- Add garlic and spinach: (the spinach is optional)
- Add pasta and liquids: stir in pasta, chicken broth, cream, and diced tomatoes (with juices). Season it up.
- Simmer: while it simmers, the pasta cooks and the sauce begins to reduce.
- Add cheese: I like to use cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese but use whatever you have on hand.
- Serve: I like to garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley.
Tips and variations
Make it mild: Use sweet Italian sausage, diced tomatoes (instead of Ro*Tel), and skip the red pepper flakes.
Make it spicier: add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, and Pepper Jack cheese!
Swap the greens: use kale instead of spinach or leave out the greens altogether!
serving spicy sausage skillet
This Spicy Sausage Skillet is a meal the whole family will love. Here’s how to make it a complete meal:
- Quick and Easy Garlic Bread
- A green salad with my homemade ranch dressing
If you’re craving a dinner that’s fast, filling and full of flavor, this. Spicy Sausage Skillet is the answer! It’s a weeknight staple at our house, and I know it will be in yours too.
As always, if you try it, let me know. I love to hear from you. Enjoy!
Spicy Sausage Skillet
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian chicken sausage (fully cooked) you can also use kielbasa, smoked sausage, or andouille
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
- 2 cups rotini pasta about 8 ounces
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 10-ounce can Ro*Tel tomatoes with juices
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for spice
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 3 green onions chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1 pound chopped sausage and 1 medium chopped onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent and the sausage starts to crisp.
- Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Add 1 cup chopped spinach, 1 ½ cups chicken stock, ¾ cup heavy cream, 1 can Ro*Tel (with juices), ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using), and 2 cups rotini pasta. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese and ½ cup cheddar cheese until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover, and let sit for 2–3 minutes to melt.
- Garnish with 3 chopped green onions before serving.
Spicy Sausage Skillet FAQ
Yes, just cook it fully in the skillet before continuing with the recipe.
The creamy sauce does not freeze well but you can refrigerate and enjoy leftovers for up to 3 days.
