One-Pot Creamy Sausage and Spinach Penne
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This camping one-pot pasta dinner is a meal that I never get tired of! In fact, I love it so much that I even make it at home for a quick weeknight dinner. With only 6-ingredients this pasta dish is about to become your new favorite camping meal. Let’s dive in!
How to make one-pot pasta while camping
In order to make this a one-pot camping dinner, you’ll be cooking the pasta and sausage in the same pot, instead of boiling pasta in a separate pot and then straining the water.
This cooking method not only eliminates the need for a second pot, but it’s also what gives this dish such a creamy texture.
By cooking the pasta in a small amount of liquid, mixing frequently, and not draining it, you keep the starch from the pasta, and that makes your final dish so creamy! The key is to not add too much water. You want there to be just enough water to barely cover the pasta.
As it cooks, you can add a splash of water as needed, but when the pasta is al dente, you don’t want there to be too much liquid left in the pot.
Camp Kitchen Essentials
Enamel Pot
You’ll need a decent-sized pot to cook this dinner. I use my 2 Qt. enamel pot and it’s a perfect size. As the recipe is written, it serves two. If you need to make a larger serving for a bigger group of campers then you’ll definitely need a larger pot. Something like this enamel stock pot would work.
Camp Stove
This meal is simply cooked over the camp stove. I have the Camp Chef Everest stove and I love it. The heat control is great and it gets water boiling really fast!
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Camp Cooking Starter Kit
Printable camping recipes, a gear checklist, and a camping meal planner so you can go camping with confidence and good food!
One-Pot Creamy Sausage and Spinach Penne
Equipment
- Primus Campfire Cookset (I really like the pots in this cookset)
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp oil
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 large handful of baby spinach
- 1/2 of a 24 oz pasta sauce jar
- shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a medium to large pot and add the sausage. Break the sausage apart as it browns in the pan. Once the sausage is cooked, add in the penne and just enough water to barely cover it.
- Bring it up to a boil and mix frequently to cook the pasta. Keep mixing and adding a splash of water as needed until the pasta is al dente. This should take around 10 to 15 minutes and when it’s done, there shouldn’t be a lot of liquid left in the pot.
- Once the pasta is cooked, turn the heat to low and mix in a handful of spinach. Then pour in the pasta sauce (only use 1/2 the jar) and mix well. Cook for another minute or two mixing frequently. Remove from the heat. Top with shredded parmesan cheese and serve!
More One-Pot Camping Dinners
Below are some of the other popular one-pot camping dinners on the blog!
Try these next:
I hope you enjoy these recipes! If you try this penne pasta, please come back and give it a review.
One of my favorites! I even love eating this one at home.
Hey Amanda! Since I have to stop by the store to get groceries tonight, I know what I am going to try!
Thanks for everything that you share. I Might not comment on everything, but I read and watch it all.
You’re welcome Chris! Thank you so much for all the support. I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s one of my favorites!
I have a atlas 150 pasta machine to make different types of pasta. There is a limit to what I will forgo while camping. I also have a travel trailer which helps with equipment.