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One-Pan White Cheddar Ranch Sausage Pasta

One-Pan White Cheddar Ranch Sausage Magic Pasta

This one-pan pasta combines tender rotini with creamy white cheddar ranch sauce, juicy sausage, and fresh vegetables for an effortless 30-minute dinner.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 lb smoked sausage sliced into rounds
  • 2 cups white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix about 1 oz
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 0.5 cup roasted red peppers chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Equipment

  • Large skillet with lid
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage rounds and cook until beautifully browned on both sides. Remove the sausage and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, add butter. Toss in the minced garlic and saute for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and milk, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Once the sauce base is simmering, stir in the dry rotini pasta. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover the pan and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 12-15 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese, letting it melt into the sauce until creamy and silky.
  6. Toss in the baby spinach and chopped roasted red peppers. Stir gently until the spinach wilts.
  7. Return the browned sausage to the pan, mixing everything together. Give the dish a final seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Brown the sausage first to build deep, savory flavor. Scrape up all the tasty bits from the bottom of the pan when adding liquids. Keep liquid at a gentle simmer to prevent milk from curdling. Use a large enough skillet so everything cooks evenly.
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