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Creamy One-Pot Sausage and Zucchini Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish combining savory Italian sausage, fresh zucchini, and a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled (spicy or mild)
  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Handful of fresh basil, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet. Add crumbled sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  3. Add sliced zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes until just starting to soften but still firm.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stir to combine. Add uncooked penne pasta and stir to submerge pasta in liquid.
  5. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Once pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed, stir cooked sausage back in. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is creamy.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped basil on top, and let sit for a couple of minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. Taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end to avoid over-seasoning. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, sausage pasta, zucchini pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, family meal, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/creamy-one-pot-sausage-and-zucchini-pasta-easy-family-dinner-recipe/