Imagine a mouthwatering meal that comes together in under an hour, packed with rich Italian flavors, and requires minimal cleanup - sounds too good to be true? Emeril's One-Pot Tuscan Sausage Pasta is your ticket to a restaurant-quality dinner without the restaurant prices or complicated techniques. This incredibly easy, hearty dish transforms simple ingredients into a show-stopping meal that will have your family begging for seconds, and your dinner guests thinking you've secretly trained in a Tuscan kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Tuscan
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lb pasta
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping the onion, mincing the garlic, and measuring out the remaining ingredients.
- Heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the Italian sausage from its casing and add to the pan, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon.
- Cook the sausage until it's browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add the chopped onion to the pan with the sausage and sauté until the onions become translucent and slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the chicken broth, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Add the pasta to the pan, ensuring it's mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Once the pasta is almost tender, stir in the fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve hot, garnishing with optional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired.
Tips
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor - the meat's quality makes a significant difference in the final dish.
- Use fresh spinach if possible, as it adds a brighter color and fresher taste compared to frozen.
- Don't rush the sausage browning process; developing those caramelized bits adds depth to your sauce.
- Stir pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- If the pasta seems too dry during cooking, add a little extra chicken broth to maintain moisture.
- For a creamier version, stir in a splash of heavy cream or sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese at the end.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 525kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 65mg
