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30-Minute Sausage Zucchini Pasta That Will Wow Your Family

sausage zucchini pasta

A hearty one-pan pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes in a Parmesan garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Boil salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Cook sausage for 6-8 minutes until browned. Set aside.
  3. Add remaining oil to skillet. Cook zucchini for 3-4 minutes until tender.
  4. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Add cherry tomatoes and cook 2-3 minutes until softened.
  6. Return sausage to skillet. Add pasta, butter, and reserved pasta water. Toss well.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan. Toss until sauce clings to pasta.
  8. Top with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Use hot Italian sausage for extra spice.
  • Substitute penne if rigatoni isn’t available.
  • Add spinach for extra greens.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pan pasta dinner, Italian sausage pasta, cherry tomato rigatoni, easy weeknight pasta recipe, Parmesan garlic sauce pasta