Spicy Sausage Pasta

A cheesy, spicy pasta and polish sausage recipe. Instant pot directions included. With sausage, cheese and pasta what can go wrong?

I found this recipe from another blogger and when I read about it I knew it had to be good.

The thing about this recipe, you can adjust the spice to your likeness. The first time I made this, I started off with medium Ro-Tel but the second time, I made my version of Ro-Tel. I will have to say, it was much tastier the second time.

Another good thing about a pasta dish, you can choose whatever pasta you like. When it comes to choosing pasta at the store, I allow Jamie to pick whatever kind he thinks he'd like to try for dishes like this one.

Wondering how I made my Ro-Tel? I used a can of diced tomatoes and a half a can (small) of hot chilies. I mixed both in a bowl and let them sit overnight in the refrigerator. ~ Super yummy!  Yeah, we like our spice spicy!

~Spicy Sausage Pasta~

1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage
1½ cups diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies
½ cup heavy cream
8 oz Rotini pasta
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

In an oven-safe pan over medium high heat add oil, sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for a minute more.  Add broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until pasta is tender about 11-12 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup cheese. Top with remaining cheese and broil until cheese is  golden brown and bubbly.

** I wanted to add, I DID NOT broil my pasta. With the heat we've had, I'm not willing to crank up the oven just for broiling. But, I did top the pasta with cheese and put the lid back on for a couple of minutes, to give it time to melt and become yummy gooey.

Instant Pot Directions:

Heat pot on the saute setting. Saute sausage, onion, and garlic until brown. Switch over to Manual setting and set the time for 4 minutes. Add the liquids and pasta  and stir. Put the lid on and lock. Cook for 4 minutes and do a quick vent. Open the lid and add the salt, pepper, and cheese. Stir and close the lid and let sit for a minute or two so the cheese can melt.
I found four minutes to be long enough for my pasta, but if you need it longer. Turn the cooker back on for another 2-3 minutes. Remember pasta will become mushy if over cooked. Do a quick vent to help in not overcooking.