Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sausage Pasta is a simple to make 1-pot recipe requiring just 30 minutes. A bright and fresh, easy 1-pot meal option.
The recipe is definitely a new "go-to" in our weeknight dinner rotation. The kids loved it, and it was so simple to make! We omitted the spinach because my daughter doesn't like "green" in her food, but other than that small tweak, I made it as written. The garlicky cream sauce + hint of lemon gave this amazing flavor!
- ALEXA BROWNING
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Why I Love Lemon Sausage Pasta
Why is the combo of pasta + chicken sausage so good, actually?
I mean in this case, it could be because browned chicken sausage and burst tomatoes give just the right amount of healthy to the pan, or it could be the heavy-handed garlic and bright flavors of zested lemon making the house smell like a restaurant, or it could be the silky smooth lemon cream sauce speckled with red pepper flakes and grated parmesan just bringing out the best of everything.
Or, it could be because it's pasta. Pasta doesn't let us down! Period. Simple steps and simple ingredients that result in a delicious meal. Let's do this.
A few important things to review before making this recipe:
First of all, can you ever go wrong with fully cooked Italian chicken sausage? Hint: no. It's an incredibly under-utilized ingredient in the "quick dinner" recipe world (see Italian Sausage Pesto Skillet).
Second of all, don't skip on this recipe just because your family isn't into tomatoes or spinach. Leave them out OR sub in your favorite veggies.
I promise you, this is one of those recipes that's so simple you will find yourself reaching for it again and again!
-Bailey
Ingredients
- Olive Oil - resistant to heat; one of the healthiest cooking oils
- Italian Chicken Sausage - select a pre-cooked sausage - this ingredient will be available at your local grocery store
- Grape Tomatoes - about half the size of cherry tomatoes with a meatier flesh and less water content
- Onion - adds a depth of flavor, select a white or yellow onion that's firm with dry papery skin
- Garlic - fresh cloves of garlic are recommended but frozen crushed garlic is a great way to save time
- Milk - I typically opt for whole milk - adds a richness without excess fat, using cream will create a thick and creamy texture
- Dried Pasta - a long thin pasta like a spaghetti noodle is recommended - a short pasta shape like rotini or fusilli would work
- Fresh Spinach - purchase pre-washed baby spinach leave
- Parmesan cheese - opt for fresh parmesan, powdered is finer and drier; freshly grated parmesan melts into a creamier texture
- Fresh Lemon - go with fresh squeezed; pre-squeezed bottled lemon juice is not as bright and flavorful
- Italian Seasoning - a simple way to add flavor to Italian dishes ; check the expiration date
- Red Pepper Flakes - add a touch of spice and heat
- Seasoning - black pepper and a pinch of salt
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Roast sausage and tomatoes. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and seasoning. Arrange into a single layer on one half of a parchment covered sheet pan. To the other half, arrange sliced sausage, cut side up. Roast until sausage is golden brown and tomatoes are tender and burst.
Step 2: Add sauce ingredients and pasta. Add olive oil and onions, cook until caramelized. Add garlic. Add, milk + water and bring to a boil. Drop spaghetti, reduce to medium heat and cook until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed (add extra water as needed.
Step 3: Add veggies and protein. Add tomatoes, spinach, chicken sausage to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to stir frequently. When spinach is wilted, remove from heat.
Step 4: Finish Lemon Garlic Pasta. Add a squeeze of lemon, lemon zest and grated parmesan cheese to the cooked pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, garnish with fresh basil (optional) - plate dish and serve immediately.
Top Tip
Don't under estimate the power of properly seasoning a recipe - if the completed pasta dish tastes bland - add additional salt and pepper. A heavy handed dash of hot sauce can be delicious as well!
Substitutions
Chicken Sausage - this recipe also works well chicken (breast or thighs) or shrimp. You can also try different flavors of chicken sausage. Something garlic-y would be great!
Tomatoes and Spinach - vegetables can be switched out depending on what you have available in your fridge or omitted all together.
Whole Milk - I tested this recipe with almond and skim milk. With both, the result was a very thin sauce instead of the creamy sauce created by the original recipe. I don’t recommend using any substitutions.
Variations
Spicy - add additional chili flakes while cooking to up the spice factor
Gluten-Free - pasta can be swapped out for your favorite gluten-free option
Vegetarian Options -omit chicken sausage or swap it out for a plant-based sausage option
Kid-Friendly - Set aside some sausage (do not add into skillet) - serve plain sausage chopped into smaller pieces beside a pile of saucy noodles without tomatoes and spinach.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Make sure to use an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap.
TO REHEAT: Pour leftover into a large skillet over medium-heat. Add ¼ cup whole milk. Stir frequently. Add additional liquid as needed. Once pasta is warmed through, serve immediately.
FAQ
This is a 1-pot meal, so serving it solo would be just fine! If you want to add in some extra veggies I think it would pair really well with this Easy Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.
I tested this recipe with an Instant Pot, and it took longer than the original version. This recipe is so simple, that I recommend just following the cooking instructions as written.
Chicken sausage is a healthier option than pork or beef sausage. It is made from lean white meat meaning it has less sodium and fat. However, all sausage is processed and contains too much salt and too many additives to be considered a health food.
Related
Looking for other quick and easy 1-pot dinner recipes like this Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sausage Pasta? Try these:
Recipe
30 Minute Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sausage Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sausage Pasta is a simple to make 1-pot recipe requiring just 30 minutes. A bright and fresh, easy 1-pot meal option.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs olive oil, divided
- 12 oz. Italian chicken sausage, fully cooked and sliced into ¼" rounds
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- Salt/Pepper- to taste
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 8 oz thin spaghetti (or another long thin pasta)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 handfuls baby spinach
For garnish (optional) - fresh basil, extra red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and arrange tomatoes and sliced sausage in a single layer. Drizzle the tomatoes with about ½ tablespoon of olive oil and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast the tomatoes and sausage in the oven until the tomatoes are tender and the sausage is golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
- While the sausage and tomatoes are roasting, add 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced onions. Once onions begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes, add the garlic. Cook garlic and onions for an additional minute, or until garlic is fragrant. Add water, and milk. Cover and bring to a boil.
- When water is at a full boil, add spaghetti and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat to medium, and cover. Allow spaghetti to cook until al dente (see package directions for cook time), stirring occasionally.
- Remove lid from skillet. Stir in tomatoes, spinach, chicken sausage, salt and pepper. Stir constantly until liquid is mostly absorbed. Remove skillet from the heat.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of lemon zest and parmesan cheese into the skillet. Stir until fully combined, about 1 minute. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately.
TOPPINGS: add a few healthy dashes of hot sauce as a fun topping. I like to do this on individual plates so everyone can control their own spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 296
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 121.3 mg
- Fat: 12.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.2 g
- Protein: 13.3 g
- Cholesterol: 11.5 mg
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Celyn
When do you add the milk?
The milk is never mentioned in the directions.
Bailey Sissom
You add the milk in step 3 of the recipe directions. Hope you love the recipe!