Fast Italian Skillet Dinner
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this irresistible Fast Italian Skillet Dinner—an easy, one-pan meal that’s bursting with bold flavors and ready in just 35 minutes! Featuring savory Italian sausage, fresh vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, and perfectly cooked pasta simmered in a rich tomato sauce, this recipe combines effortless preparation with authentic Italian flair. Customize the spice level with mild or spicy sausage and optional crushed red pepper flakes, while a sprinkle of Parmesan and a garnish of fresh basil elevate the dish to restaurant-quality perfection. Perfect for busy nights, this Italian-inspired skillet meal saves time without compromising on taste, making it a go-to favorite for the whole family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium Bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 medium Zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 2 teaspoons Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 14.5 ounces Canned diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 8 ounces Tomato sauce
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 8 ounces Uncooked penne or rotini pasta
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Ground black pepper
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the diced bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and, if desired, crushed red pepper flakes for added heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the skillet, allowing it to melt into the dish. If desired, garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves before serving.
Serve the skillet dinner hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
663 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.4 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.2 g | 56% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 2134 mg | 93% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.5 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.6 g | ||
| Protein | 31.8 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 217 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 4.1 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 1067 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
