Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet
This easy, smoked sausage pasta skillet will have you doing fewer dishes and spending more time enjoying pasta with your family. This one-pot dish packs smoky sausage and pasta into a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, as a bonus it’s loaded with fresh spinach for a sneaky dose of veggies.

Why you’ll love this smoked sausage pasta skillet
This is the kind of dish that comes together effortlessly but tastes like you spent loads of time in the kitchen. Not only is this recipe a breeze to make – because no one wants to wash extra dishes – but the pasta cooks directly in the broth, soaking up all the delicious flavors. The cheddar cheese adds a perfect gooey, cheesy finish, while the green onions give a fresh pop that rounds it all out. Plus, with spinach mixed in, you’re getting a hearty dose of veggies without even trying!
If you like this recipe, you have to try this fennel sausage pasta, and this cajun shrimp and sausage pasta and this spicy sausage pasta.
Searching for more cheesy pasta recipes? cheesy broccoli orzo / pizzaiolo pasta / french onion pasta / tomato mascarpone pasta

Ingredients & substitutions
- Smoked Sausage – We opted for Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage, which is made with a blend of beef, turkey, and pork. Feel free to use your favorite smoked sausage variety, Whether you prefer all-beef or turkey sausage, even Polish kielbasa would be a fine option. If you like spicy, go ahead and opt for a hot smoked sausage.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies – You can usually find these in a variety of spice levels, so opt for whichever suits your tastes. We used mild, to make it more family friendly.
- Cream cheese (or neufchâtel cheese) – Cream cheese and Neufchâtel cheese are similar, but with a slight difference in texture and fat content. The flavor is nearly identical, making them easy to swap in recipes. Neufchâtel is a nice alternative if you’re looking for a lighter option.
- Shellbow pasta – This type of pasta is a hybrid between shell shaped pasta (like conchiglie) and elbow macaroni. If you can’t find it, try using shell pasta or elbow – or really any other type of medium pasta. Farfalle would work as well.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make this smoked sausage pasta
Sauté the sausage. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic. Then add in the sliced sausage and cook everything together, stirring often, until the sausage is browned and the onions are tender—about 5 minutes.
Boil the pasta. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, uncooked pasta, coarse salt, and cream cheese to the skillet. Turn the heat up to high, cover the skillet, and bring everything to a boil. Keep cooking until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
Add spinach and cheese. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, then add the spinach leaves and cook until they’re wilted. If the mixture looks a bit dry, feel free to add ½ cup of water. Before serving, sprinkle more shredded cheddar and sliced green onions on top.


Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
This easy, smoked sausage pasta skillet will have you doing fewer dishes and spending more time enjoying pasta with your family. This one-pot dish packs smoky sausage and pasta into a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, as a bonus it’s loaded with fresh spinach for a sneaky dose of veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 smoked sausage link (about 14 ounces), sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 ounces cream cheese (or neufchâtel cheese)
- 1 16-ounce package medium pasta such as farfalle or shells, uncooked
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 8 ounces fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For topping:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 – 4 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- In a large skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add sliced sausage continue cooking to brown the sausage, stirring frequently, until onions are tender – about 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, uncooked pasta, coarse salt and cream cheese.
- Increase heat to high and cover skillet.
- Bring to a boil and continue cooking until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes – stirring occasionally.
- Stir in shredded cheese, adding an additional ½ cup of water if needed.
- When pasta is fully cooked, stir in spinach leaves and continue to cook until wilted.
- To serve, top with shredded cheddar cheese and green onions.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Spiral
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 596
- Sugar: 3.7 g
- Sodium: 1537.6 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 14.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38.4 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 22.5 g
- Cholesterol: 84.6 mg

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