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Create a restaurant-worthy pasta dish with minimal cleanup using this simple yet flavorful one-pot method. Perfect Italian sausage mingles with rich tomato sauce and melty mozzarella, all while the pasta cooks to al dente perfection in the same pot. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a memorable family meal.
During a busy weeknight, this recipe saved dinner when I discovered I could create a silky sauce while cooking pasta in the same pot. The addition of mozzarella turned a simple sauce into something truly special that my family now requests weekly.
Essential Ingredients
- Italian sausage: Remove from casings for best texture
- Fresh garlic: Choose firm, heavy heads
- Crushed tomatoes: Provides perfect sauce consistency
- Beef broth: Creates rich sauce foundation
- Quality pasta: Essential for proper starch release
- Real mozzarella: Creates silky finish
Pasta Creation
- Sausage Preparation:
- Break sausage into small pieces in heated pot, browning thoroughly until golden. Drain excess fat while keeping flavorful bits in bottom of pot.
- Sauce Foundation:
- Add tomato paste and minced garlic, cooking until deeply fragrant. Incorporate dried herbs and seasonings gradually, allowing flavors to develop fully.
- Pasta Integration:
- Pour in broth and crushed tomatoes, bringing mixture to perfect simmer. Add pasta carefully, ensuring each strand is submerged. Monitor liquid levels attentively, adjusting heat and adding broth as needed.
- Final Enhancement:
- Stir in mozzarella gradually once pasta reaches al dente. Cover and let rest briefly, allowing cheese to melt completely into silky sauce.
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The magic of this dish lies in the starch released from the pasta as it cooks. This natural thickener creates a perfectly silky sauce that hugs every strand of spaghetti, making each bite absolutely delicious.
Complete Your Meal
Enhance your pasta experience by serving alongside warm garlic bread and fresh Caesar salad. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and torn basil leaves just before serving. Keep extra red pepper flakes nearby for heat lovers.
Personalize Your Pasta
Make this recipe your own by using spicy Italian sausage for extra heat or trying different pasta shapes. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra vegetables. Skip the mozzarella for a lighter version, or add extra for more richness.
Fresh Storage Tips
Keep leftover pasta fresh in airtight container for up to three days. Reheat gently on stovetop with splash of broth to maintain sauce consistency. Enjoy within first two days for best texture and flavor.
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This one-pot pasta has revolutionized my weeknight cooking. With minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, it's become my go-to recipe when I want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and melty cheese brings everyone to the table eager to enjoy a truly satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which sausage type?
- Any Italian sausage, ground or removed from casing.
- → Pasta not done?
- Add more broth and cook longer if needed.
- → Too much liquid?
- Cook longer, pasta will absorb more as it sits.
- → Make it spicier?
- Add more red pepper flakes to taste.
- → Best pot to use?
- Large pot or Dutch oven works well.