This Pasta with Sausage, Zucchini and Tomatoes dish is perfect for summer. It’s packed with seasoned fresh produce such as corn, onion, garlic, zucchini, and tomato, which makes it flavorful, juicy, and fulfilling. It’s a one-pot recipe that’s convenient for any quick dinner and busy weekdays.
If you’re looking for more quick and easy pasta dishes, look no further. We’ve kitchen-tested these recipes, which are delicious every time: Mexican Spaghetti, Sausage Pepper Pasta, Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta and Chicken Sausage Pasta.
There are many pastas that go well with sausage, such as farfalle (bow tie, shown), penne, orecchiette, cavatappi, and rigatoni, to name a few.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy one pot meal with the pasta
- Full of flavor
- Lots of late summer veggies
- Great family meal
Helpful Items for This Recipe
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Wooden Spatula for Cooking, 2Pcs Natural Teak Wooden Spatula
Ingredients for Pasta with Sausage recipe
Go to the farmers’ market and grab some sausage, corn, cherry tomatoes and zucchini that are nice and fresh.
Recipe Ingredients
Farfalle pasta – We choose farfalle, but any short pasta will work just fine. Go with what you have on hand!
Olive oil – You’ll need it to saute the veggies. Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil whenever possible.
Yellow onion and garlic cloves – They provide the flavor base for our pasta, don’t skip them!
White wine – I love to use white wine for pasta sauces, it brings out the best of the veggies, and there’s no alcohol left behind when serving.
Kosher salt and black pepper – Adjust these two to your taste as needed.
Tomato paste – It gives a subtle tomato flavor.
Italian sausage – Adds richness and a savory, spiced flavor that makes the sauce hearty. You can opt for spicy or mild Italian sausage.
Zucchini – Brings freshness and a light texture that balances the richness of the sausage.
Cherry tomatoes – They add some sweetness and juiciness to this dish. I loved it!
Corn kernels – A touch of sweetness and crunch that makes the pasta feel extra summery.
Marinara sauce – The base of the dish, tying all the flavors together in a cozy tomato sauce. You can use a homemade or store-bought version.
Pecorino Romano – This cheese finishes up the sausage pasta recipe with a bold flavor. You can use any sharp cheese, like Parmesan cheese.
How to make Italian Sausage Pasta recipe
First, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and the chopped onion and cook until softened. Add garlic, and cook until golden and fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add white wine, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Cook until it evaporates.
Now, add Italian sausage and cook through, about 5-6 minutes. Then, add the zucchini and tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, until the tomatoes soften. Add the corn and stir to combine.
Add the marinara, season with extra salt and pepper to taste, and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions, reserving some of the water before draining, then toss with the marinara and vegetables.
Add the grated cheese and cook for 1 minute, adding some of the reserved pasta water as needed. Serve right away with fresh parsley or basil and additional grated cheese, if desired.
Recipe Tips!
What kind of sausage to use
The best choice is Italian sausage, either a sweet or spicy version. If you like fennel, go with the sweet one. You may prefer a little heat, then buy the spicy Italian sausage.
If Italian sausage isn’t available, you can substitute chorizo (for a smoky, bold flavor) or a good-quality pork sausage seasoned with garlic and herbs.
You can even go on the lighter side and try a chicken or turkey sausage, whichever you prefer.
Salting your water pasta correctly
A good rule of thumb is about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt per 4 quarts (4 liters) of water. This is your only chance to season the pasta itself. You want it to taste as salty as the sea.
Kitchen tips to make Pasta with Italian Sausage
- Cook pasta al dente – The pasta will finish in the sauce, so pull it a minute early to avoid overcooking.
- Save some pasta water – A splash helps loosen the sauce and makes it cling to the pasta beautifully because the water is starchy.
- Don’t skip the wine – It adds depth, and the alcohol cooks off. If you prefer, use broth instead.
LOVE PASTA AND WANT MORE?
We love a quick and delicious pasta, and we are always trying new recipes. Here are more of our favorites.
Pasta with Sausage, Zucchini and Tomato Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 oz farfalle pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 lb Italian sausage sweet or spicy
- 1 1/2 cup zucchini diced or sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 ears of corn cooked kernels, cut from the cob
- 2/3 cup marinara sauce homemade or store-bought
- 6 tbsp grated Pecorino Romano
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for about a minute, until golden and fragrant.
- Add the white wine, salt, pepper, and tomato paste, and let it cook until the liquid evaporates.
- Stir in the Italian sausage and cook until fully browned. Add the zucchini, followed by the tomatoes, and cook for about 3 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Mix in the corn, then pour in the marinara sauce. Season with more salt and pepper if needed, and cook for another minute until heated through.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions, making sure to reserve some of the cooking water before draining. Toss the pasta with the marinara, sausage, and vegetables.
- Add the grated cheese and cook for another minute, adding splashes of pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Serve immediately with fresh basil and extra cheese on top, if desired.
Comments & Reviews
Cheryl says
I made this tonight and we all loved it!
Even Jack liked it! Jack (my 3 year old grandson) gave me a thumbs up!
Great recipe 🤤
Tara Noland says
So glad everyone enjoyed it including Jack!!
Jocelyn Voelk says
Absolutely delicious- a great family meal!!
Tara Noland says
Thanks for taking the time to comment! Glad you enjoyed it.