Looking for a quick, satisfying meal on busy weeknights? This Tomato Basil Sausage Skillet is packed with savory sausage, bright tomatoes, fresh basil and gooey cheese — and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
*I partnered with Red Gold® this spring to create recipes using canned tomatoes.
Dinner planning can be a struggle for many of us. I’m quick to bake cookies or brownies, but deciding on a dinner sometimes leaves me staring into the pantry. Canned tomatoes and pasta are staples I often overlook until inspiration hits. When it does, pasta and cheese usually save the night.
This skillet is one of those dependable, family-friendly meals. It’s flexible, forgiving, and delicious — perfect for nights when you want something simple but satisfying.
This spring I had the privilege of developing recipes with Red Gold® as a brand ambassador. I reach for their tomatoes often because they deliver consistent quality, and I appreciate that Red Gold uses non-BPA/BPS can liners — a small choice that shows they care about customers.
For this dish I grabbed a box of pasta and a can of diced tomatoes, then picked up smoked sausage and fresh basil at the store. If you’re in a pinch, frozen sausage and dried basil work well too.
The recipe uses two pans: one to cook the pasta and one to prepare the sauce and sausage. I like to prep ingredients while the noodles cook, but you can chop ahead and store components in containers for an even faster finish.
How to make Tomato Basil Sausage Skillet
- Sauté the onions and garlic, then add a can of diced tomatoes and most of the chopped fresh basil. Reserve a teaspoon of basil for garnish.
- Once the tomatoes are heated and the basil has wilted, pour in evaporated milk and add most of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until the mixture becomes creamy.
- Stir in cooked pasta and sliced smoked sausage, then top with the remaining cheese. Cover briefly so the top layer melts and becomes gooey.
The melted cheese on top makes this dish especially comforting — it’s always a hit at our table.
More Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Alfredo Calzones
- Veggie Supreme Pasta Bake
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake
- Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake
- Parmesan Shrimp Scampi
Recipe
Tomato Basil Sausage Skillet
6 servings
30 minutes
30 minutes
Tomatoes and basil give this easy pasta dish bright, fresh flavor. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a perfect skillet dinner for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onions
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 – 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 – 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 16 ounce package smoked kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions 2–3 minutes, then add garlic, diced tomatoes and most of the basil. Stir until the basil wilts.
- Pour in the evaporated milk and add 2½ cups of the shredded mozzarella. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
- Fold in the cooked pasta and sliced sausage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top, cover with a lid until the cheese melts, then garnish with reserved basil and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 561
Total Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 101mg
Sodium: 1218mg
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 26g
*I was compensated for my time creating this recipe as a brand ambassador for Red Gold. All opinions are my own.