Description
This Cheddar Ranch Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender rotini pasta simmered in a cheesy ranch-infused sauce, combined with savory smoked sausage, fresh baby spinach, and roasted red peppers. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that balances indulgence with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid & Dairy
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Meats
- 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced thin
Vegetables & Others
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the thinly sliced smoked sausage until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the milk and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix, then let the mixture simmer gently.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the rotini pasta to the skillet, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add Vegetables: Carefully stir in the baby spinach and chopped roasted red peppers, allowing the spinach to wilt slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix thoroughly. Stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use smoked sausage for a rich, smoky flavor, but any cooked sausage variety can work.
- To make the dish vegetarian, substitute the sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage alternatives.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the broth slightly or add an additional 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
- For spicier variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
