One-Pan White Cheddar Ranch Sausage Magic Pasta Recipe
One-Pan White Cheddar Ranch Sausage Magic Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish made with smoked sausage, rotini pasta, and a delicious blend of ranch seasoning and white cheddar cheese. This easy skillet meal combines savory browned sausage, tender pasta cooked right in the pan, and fresh baby spinach with roasted red peppers for a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Protein
- 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
Dairy
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
Liquid
- 2 cups chicken broth
Oils & Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth and milk, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the rotini pasta to the simmering liquid, making sure it is mostly submerged. Cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12–15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed much of the liquid.
- Add Cheese: Lower the heat and gradually stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Vegetables: Fold in the baby spinach and roasted red peppers. Allow the spinach to wilt slightly by cooking for another 1-2 minutes.
- Combine Sausage and Season: Return the browned sausage to the pan and stir everything together evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm and enjoy your comforting one-pan meal.
Notes
- Use smoked sausage or kielbasa for added smoky flavor.
- For a richer sauce, use whole milk or substitute half the milk with heavy cream.
- You can add extra vegetables like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for variety.
- If you prefer less sodium, opt for low-sodium chicken broth and adjust salt accordingly.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
Keywords: one-pan pasta, white cheddar pasta, ranch seasoning pasta, smoked sausage pasta, quick dinner, creamy pasta skillet
