Roasted Apple Sausage Pasta Skillet (Printable Version)
Skillet dish with sausage, apples, and pasta in herbed sauce provides quick, easy comfort for four.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 12 ounces Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casings removed
→ Vegetables & Fruits
02 - 2 medium apples, cored and sliced (preferably Honeycrisp or Gala)
03 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach
→ Pasta
06 - 12 ounces short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
→ Dairy
07 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Pantry
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Liquids
13 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7–8 minutes. Remove sausage to a plate.
03 - Preheat the broiler or set oven to 450°F.
04 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Add apple slices and onion; season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until apples are golden and onions are softened.
05 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Return sausage to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta, chicken broth, and reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Stir in spinach until wilted.
07 - Dot with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the top.
08 - Place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
09 - Serve hot, with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- One-pan preparation for easy cleanup
- Balanced savory and sweet flavors from sausage and apples
02 -
- This dish contains wheat, milk, and pork. Always check sausage and broth labels for extra allergens or gluten.
- You can use kale or arugula in place of spinach, or swap in plant-based sausage and vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
03 -
- Always reserve pasta water before draining for a silky sauce.
- Use a large oven-safe skillet so you can broil the pasta directly and achieve golden cheese topping.