15-Minute Skillet Pasta (One-Pan!)

Whip up this 15-minute skillet pasta recipe with sausage, veggies, and cheese—an easy, kid-approved one-pan dinner.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom, it’s that the hour before dinner is prime chaos time. Homework, hockey gear, hungry kids asking “what’s for dinner?” on repeat… sound familiar?

That’s why I love having a few back-pocket suppers that I know I can get on the table quickly, without a ton of dishes or stress. Enter this speedy Skillet Pasta. It’s cozy, savoury, cheesy, and on the table in just 15 minutes. Yup—just one pan and a few pantry staples and you’ve got a meal that feels comforting and nourishing (and gets you instant hero status with your crew).

What I love most? It’s endlessly flexible. Swap in whatever veggies you’ve got, use up leftover sausage or ground beef, or change up the sauce depending on what’s in the fridge. Every time I make it, it’s a little different—but always delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Skillet Pasta

• One-pan magic: Everything cooks together in a single skillet, which means fewer dishes to wash and more time to actually enjoy your evening with the family.
• Ready in 15 minutes: When the day has been long and everyone’s hungry, this pasta comes together fast without sacrificing flavour or comfort.
• Flexible ingredients: This is a true “use what you’ve got” meal—swap in whatever veggies, protein, or sauce are in your fridge or pantry.
• Kid-approved: Cheesy, saucy pasta rarely gets turned down at the table, making it a reliable choice when you need something the whole crew will eat.
• Comfort factor: There’s just something about a warm, cozy bowl of pasta at the end of the day that feels grounding and nourishing—for kids and parents alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Spaghetti noodles
• Baby tomatoes (or swap in spinach, broccoli, or bell pepper)
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Cooked sausage (or use ground beef or chicken)
• Jarred alfredo, tomato, or pesto sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Optional: white wine and broth for extra flavour

How to Make Speedy Skillet Pasta

Boil the water. You’ll need at least 5 cups.

Start the skillet. In a large skillet, add spaghetti noodles, tomatoes (or your veggie of choice), garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Add liquid. Pour boiling water over the noodles until just covered. Add broth and wine if using. Cook on high for 8–11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti is al dente.

Add sausage + sauce. Stir in your cooked sausage and the pasta sauce.

Make it cheesy. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and let it sit over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes until melted and bubbly.

Serve. Dish it up with a green salad (if you’ve got one) and enjoy!

Recipe Notes & Variations

As a dietitian (and a mom of three hungry kids), I love meals like this because they’re flexible and forgiving. You don’t need to follow a rigid recipe—think of this as more of a framework you can adapt depending on what you have and what your family enjoys (or at least tolerates).

• Veggie swaps: Don’t have baby tomatoes? No problem. Toss in spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, or bell pepper instead. I often just raid the crisper and throw in whatever needs to be used up. Some nights it’s a handful of spinach, other nights it’s leftover roasted veggies. It all works here.
• Protein swaps: Sausage is quick and flavourful, but ground beef, chicken, or even veggie crumbles fit right in. I’ve even used leftover rotisserie chicken when I’m really short on time.
• Sauce options: Alfredo, tomato, or pesto are all winners, and each one gives the dish a slightly different vibe. My kids are split—one loves the creamy alfredo version, another swears by tomato sauce, and I secretly love pesto because it feels a little “fancier” without any extra work.
• Make it fresh: If you’ve got fresh herbs like basil or parsley on hand, sprinkle them over top before serving. It adds a bright finish and makes the whole dish feel a little more special (just don’t tell my green-fearing child, who somehow always spots a single leaf of parsley from across the room).

The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it truly your own while still getting a balanced, nourishing meal on the table in 15 minutes flat.

Storage Tips

This skillet pasta makes about 6 generous cups—perfect for a family dinner with leftovers for lunchboxes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving or warming on the stove to bring back the creaminess.

More 15-Minute Recipes to Try

If your family loved this speedy skillet pasta, here are a few more 15-minute meals that make busy weeknights (or after-school hunger strikes) a whole lot easier:

• Warm up with this flavour-packed Thai Chicken Noodle Soup that’s comforting, nourishing, and ready in minutes.
• Toss together a colourful Fiesta Salad loaded with fresh veggies, beans, and zesty flavours—perfect as a quick side or stand-alone meal.
• Roll up some fun with Sushi Wraps, a hands-on, kid-friendly twist on sushi that comes together in no time. Or why not try these super simple Air Fryer Salmon Bowls, family style?
• Keep it meatless (but protein-packed) with Lentil Taco Meat for Kids, ideal for taco night in a hurry.
• Switch things up with 15-Minute Korean Beef Tacos, bursting with flavour and guaranteed to be a family favourite.
• Bring pasta to the table in a fresh way with this Healthy BLT Pasta Salad, quick to prepare and great for lunches too.

The Bottom Line

This 15-minute skillet pasta is proof that quick dinners don’t have to be boring. With one pan, a handful of ingredients, and a little flexibility, you’ve got a cozy, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Sarah Remmer, RD

Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.