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!

creamy sausage and spinach penne camping dinner

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.

one pot camping pasta
cooking pasta while camping

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.

sausage, spinach, pasta sauce, and penne
delicious camping dinner for two

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!

serving dinner while camping
get my free

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

This one-pot camping dinner is an all-time favorite! Simple ingredients come together to create a creamy delicious pasta dish at camp in less than 30 minutes.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe
Servings: 2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Equipment

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!
Tried this recipe? Mention @amandaoutside on Instagram or leave a review!
penne pasta with parmesan

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.

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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.

  2. 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.