Skillet Pasta Roma
A hearty skillet pasta dish featuring sausage, tomatoes, and cheese, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal with bold flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the sausage.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is soft; drain excess fat.
- Stir in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and uncooked pasta.
- Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in sliced mushrooms; simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve in the skillet garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using spicy Italian sausage or adding red pepper flakes. If you don’t have rigatoni, spiral pasta works well too. Feel free to include other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. To save time, use pre-chopped onions and garlic. This dish can also be made with ground turkey for a lighter option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Skillet Pasta Roma straight from the skillet for a rustic presentation. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a delightful twist, consider serving it alongside a light Tortellini Salad (Cold) or with some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the pasta from drying out and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Skillet Pasta Roma contains roughly 713 calories, with 20g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (74% of the Daily Value), protein (40% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 946mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute the rigatoni with any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne or fusilli. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as different pasta shapes may require slightly different cooking durations.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can omit the sausage and add more vegetables or use plant-based sausage alternatives. This will keep the dish hearty while catering to vegetarian diets.
Can I freeze Skillet Pasta Roma?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little liquid if needed.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).