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One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta. This sausage pasta is made in 30 minutes, uses just one pot, and is a great way to use up that springtime asparagus. It’s made with spicy Italian chicken sausage, packed asparagus, is a touch garlicky, and finished with green olives and fresh basil. Perfect quick-cooking pasta that’s great for both late spring and summer nights. Everyone in the house will enjoy this cozy yet vibrant pasta, and the leftovers the following day are delicious.

overhead photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta

The truth? A lot of times I make a recipe with a certain person in mind. It can be a sibling, a friend, anyone really. But I have the most fun creating recipes with others in mind. It allows me to step outside my own zone and think about what the other person would enjoy. It keeps things fun, fresh, and creative for me.

This pasta is a combination of two people and they both have very different flavor pallets. My oldest brother, Creighton, and my sister-in-law, Lyndsie.

Creighton is the person I turn to when I need a good meat-based recipe or something fun, cheesy, and more times than not, extra saucy. Creighton is all about the sauce. He loves his old school favorites like chicken fingers. tater tot casserole, or gyros with extra tzatziki sauce.

Lynd’s on the other hand? She is the complete opposite. Lyndsie loves vegetables and wants everything to be heavy on the herbs. She tosses in out-there ingredients and loves her cheese and lemons. In general, she’s all about vegetable-forward recipes with plenty of flavor and color.

These two could not be more different, yet this pasta is mash-up of what each of them loves most.

overhead prep photo of basil and chives

The details you need to know about this one pot pasta…

As you might guess, this is pretty simple and straight forward, but I’m throwing in some major flavor throughout.

Start with the pasta. For this particular recipe, I like to boil and drain the pasta first.

While the pasta is boiling, make a quick vinaigrette/sauce. This is the flavor of this pasta. It’s a mix of plenty of fresh basil, chives, and green olives. It’s fresh, a bit tangy, and perfectly salted. The idea is that by the time the pasta is finished boiling, all the other prep work is complete.

If you have a food processor, this makes really quick work of all the chopping and mixing. It creates a more vinaigrette-like sauce that will give your pasta a very pretty green hue. Just a tip, but certainly not needed if you don’t own a food processor.

side angled photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta

Once the pasta has been drained, start cooking the spicy Italian chicken sausage in the very same pot you boiled the pasta in. I like to brown the sausage in a little olive before adding the asparagus and garlic. Once the garlic is added, you’ll want to cook a few minutes more, just until that garlic is fragrant.

Next, white wine, just a splash. It’s delicious and adds a nice flavor. Of course, if you prefer not to cook with wine, you can simply use a splash of white vinegar, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. My first choice would be the vinegar, followed by the broth.

Next add the pasta, plenty of freshly grated parmesan cheese, and all of the basily olive sauce. Once you add the sauce, your kitchen will immediately smell amazing. Like an Italian grandma’s kitchen in the summer months when she’s cooking with fresh basil from the garden.

It’s a very wonderful smell.

overhead close up photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta

Suggestions, substitutes, and ideas…

If you don’t love asparagus, try using another spring or summer vegetable. I recommend broccoli or zucchini, just something green to preserve the pretty vibrant green color throughout this one pot pasta.

Not a fan of sausage? Well, first I highly recommend giving an Italian chicken sausage a try. It’s spicy, less fatty, and I always find it to have much better flavor in comparison to traditional pork sausage. I like to buy my chicken sausage at Whole Foods from the butcher, but most grocery stores with a butcher will make you fresh chicken sausage if you ask.

side angled close up photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta

And that’s it. Serve this up while it’s warm and every bowl at the table will come back to the sink clean.

Creighton has said this is my best “quarantined” recipe yet. It’s his new favorite…which honestly I was shocked by. This pasta ended up being much more of a Lyndsie food versus a Creighton food. I was worried he wouldn’t even touch this due to the green color. But he loved every last bite and is calling it a new favorite. Who knew he’d love something so green…exciting.

And the best part? This is an easy, flavorful pasta that could not be better for a busy night. Plus the leftovers are great warm or chilled the following day.

Tip? Add a couple of handfuls of baby spinach to boost the greens! Now you basically have pasta salad. So very balanced! Enjoy everyone!

overhead photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta with hands on bowl

Looking for other one pot recipe? Here are a couple of favorites…

One Pot Creamy Tuscan Pesto and Artichoke Pasta

One Pot 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake

Lastly, if you make this one pot lemon basil, asparagus, and sausage pasta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 503 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
    2. Meanwhile, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, basil, chives, and olives in a bowl, or pulse in the food processor. Season with salt and pepper.
    3. In the same pot used to cook the pasta, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken sausage and brown all over, about 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the asparagus, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes or until the asparagus is tender. Add the wine. Simmer 2-3 minutes, then add the pasta and parmesan, tossing well to coat.
    4. Add the basil/olive sauce and toss. Remove from the heat and serve immediately topped with additional basil and parmesan. Enjoy!

Notes

To Make Vegetarian: omit the sausage and instead, when adding the shallots, also add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
To Replace the Wine: if you prefer not to cook with wine, you can simply use a splash of white vinegar, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. My first choice would be the vinegar, followed by the broth.
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overhead horizontal photo of One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta

4.39 from 290 votes (237 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I followed the option for the vegetarian version and loved it. This was a huge hit in my house! We will definitely make this again!

    1. Hey Jennifer,
      Happy Sunday! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT

  2. 5 stars
    This is so good, thank you for sharing the recipe with us, I did not change a thing! The lemon is spot on with asparagus! Love the olives, would never substitute! Not sure why people change your recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I loveee this recipe! It’s a repeat in our home. Sometimes I sub the olives for capers just depending on what I have on hand 🙂 but one of my favorite HBH recipes!

    1. Hey Catie,
      Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often, I love to hear that it always turns out well for you:)

  4. I made this recipe while car camping and it was a huge hit! Next time I would do more prep at home to have less camp cleanup. It is one pot but having to cook the pasta separately in this dish adds a little more complication than some of the other one-pot pasta recipes I have tried (and loved) from HBH. Our variation: plant-based sausage (to worry less about it spoiling when camping) and protein pasta. Very simple and quick to prepare but tastes so gourmet – THANK YOU!

    1. Hey Jenn,
      Thanks for your comment and sharing what worked well for you! So glad to hear that this dish was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a go! ?xTieghan

  5. Really want to make this but I think I missed something in the vegetarian option: “when adding the shallots, also add…”. What shallots? Can I just ignore that and add the remaining ingredients to get the “spicy sausage vibe”?

  6. 5 stars
    I didn’t use the olives in the sauce/dressing but this was so good! And the leftovers were even better, and great cold!!

    1. Hey Alex,
      Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan

    2. Hi-Did you substitute anything for the olives or was it fine without them? I’m not a fan of olives.

  7. 5 stars
    This was delicious! The fact that the sauce was no-cook, blended in advance – almost like a pesto, made it extra delightful. I had to make a few pivots based on my pantry: I only had 2 lonely olives (haha) so I subbed in a tablespoon of capers. I had a 1/3 of a ripe avocado I wanted to use up, so I used that instead of the olive oil in the sauce (still used the EVOO in the pan). I had 1/3 of an onion I wanted to use, so I sliced that into half-moons and added with after the sausage, before the asparagus. I think the double acid of the apple cider vinegar + lemon juice (and all the lemon zest) really pulled this one together. Yay!

    1. Hey Sarah,
      Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend:) xTieghan

  8. 5 stars
    Wow! I made this tonight and it was amazing. I can’t believe the flavor of the sauce and, even though there were many ingredients, it’s so easy to whip together. Love!!!

    1. Hi Kim,
      Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it was a hit!! xTieghan

  9. Delicious and fast! This recipe came out great. The combination of flavors in the sauce is delicious, and blending in the food processor emulsifies it into a nice texture. I would definitely make this again!

    1. Hey Ash,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! Have the best weekend! xxT

    1. Hey Brooke,
      Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! Happy New Year!? xTieghan

  10. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!! Easy, yet good amount of prep to feel good about the work put into the meal. Feel accomplished for a quick meal.
    Everyone in the family loved it! Going to try it with chicken next time.

    1. Hey Lindsay,
      Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Have a great Saturday! xTieghan