Published on May 3, 2024 · Updated on October 25, 2026 by Sarah Troester
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To make smoked sausage pasta in one skillet, brown 1 lb of sliced smoked sausage in olive oil, soften a diced onion and garlic, then pour in chicken broth, cream and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir in 12 oz of penne or rotini, cover and simmer about 15 minutes until tender, then melt in Monterey Jack cheese and wilt in fresh spinach. It serves 6, with no separate pot of pasta water.

Cheesy smoked sausage pasta with spinach is our all-time favorite one-skillet recipe. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious.

Cheesy smoked sausage pasta with spinach in a skillet

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious dinner recipe that your whole family will love, look no further than our all-time favorite – cheesy smoked sausage pasta with spinach. This easy one-pan meal has been a lifesaver for me on countless busy weeknights.

As a mom juggling work, kids, and a million other things, I know how important it is to have a handful of go-to recipes that are not only quick and easy, but also satisfying and flavorful. This smoked sausage pasta checks all the boxes.

With just a few simple ingredients and one skillet, you can have a hearty and delicious meal on the table in no time at all.

Close-up of creamy smoked sausage pasta with melted cheese and spinach

I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never fails to impress my family. The combination of smoky sausage, ooey gooey cheese, and fresh spinach is a winner every time. Plus, the best part is that it’s all cooked in one pan! That means less time cleaning up and more time to enjoy dinner with your loved ones.

why your whole family will love this cheesy smoked sausage pasta skillet recipe

  • One skillet: the pasta cooks right in the creamy sauce, so there’s no pot of pasta water to drain.
  • Classic comfort: smoky sausage, cream and melty Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Simple ingredients: sausage, broth, cream, a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, pasta, cheese and spinach.
  • Kid-friendly: cheesy pasta is an easy way to get some spinach on the plate.

This is a meal that I make often — my family can’t get enough of it! I promise it will become a staple in your dinner rotation, just like it has in mine.

Bowl of one-skillet smoked sausage pasta topped with green onions

ingredients

To make this easy cheesy smoked sausage pasta recipe, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online.

Here’s what we are working with:

  • smoked sausage
  • onion
  • garlic
  • chicken broth
  • cream
  • can of diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • preferred pasta
  • shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • spinach
  • green onion
Smoked sausage pasta ingredients: smoked sausage, onion, garlic, broth, cream, diced tomatoes with green chilies, pasta, Monterey Jack, spinach and green onions

how to make one-skillet smoked sausage pasta

You’ll find the exact amounts and printable steps in the recipe card below. Here’s what each step looks like, plus the little things that make it work.

1. Brown the sausage. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Cook the aromatics. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent.

Browned smoked sausage with onion and garlic in a skillet

3. Add the sauce. Pour in the broth, cream, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

4. Simmer the pasta. Add the pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta in the sauce. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking, stirring occasionally.

Pasta simmering in broth, cream and diced tomatoes with the sausage

5. Melt in the cheese. Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and well combined.

6. Wilt the spinach. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Stirring shredded Monterey Jack cheese into smoked sausage pasta

7. Garnish. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Smoked sausage pasta with wilted spinach and sliced green onions

can I meal prep smoked sausage pasta?

YES! This cheesy smoked sausage pasta makes one incredible meal prep! It’s easy, delicious, and loaded with comfort and flavor. You will want to divide skillet ingredients into 6 meal prep containers and get ready for one delicious week of prepped lunches!

how to store and reheat smoked sausage pasta

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the cheesy sauce.

Smoked sausage pasta portioned into meal prep containers

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

smoked sausage pasta FAQs

What is the best pasta for smoked sausage pasta?

A short pasta such as penne or rotini holds the creamy sauce best. Use 12 oz for this one-skillet recipe.

Can I use kielbasa?

Yes. Kielbasa is a smoked sausage, so it works just like the 1 lb of sliced smoked sausage in the recipe.

Is it spicy?

It has a mild kick from the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. For a milder version, use plain diced tomatoes.

Do I need to boil the pasta first?

No. The pasta simmers right in the broth, cream and tomatoes, covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta with Spinach (Easy One-Skillet Meal)

  • SFSugar Free
5 from 3 votes
Cheesy smoked sausage pasta with spinach is our all-time favorite one-skillet recipe. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 12 oz pasta, such as penne or rotini
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 green onions , sliced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
    Browned smoked sausage with onion and garlic in a skillet
  • Pour in the broth, cream, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the pasta to the skillet and stir well to coat the pasta in the sauce. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking, stirring occasionally.
    Pasta simmering in broth, cream and diced tomatoes with the sausage
  • Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and well combined.
    Stirring shredded Monterey Jack cheese into smoked sausage pasta
  • Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Smoked sausage pasta with wilted spinach and sliced green onions
  • Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
    Bowl of one-skillet smoked sausage pasta topped with green onions

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 713kcal

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this cheesy smoked sausage pasta with spinach recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!