Sausage and Peppers Pasta: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner

Experience the rich, savory flavors of Italian sausage combined with vibrant bell peppers and a luscious tomato sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. This Sausage and Peppers Pasta is a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that promises a burst of authentic taste with minimal effort.

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There’s something uniquely comforting and utterly delicious about a well-made pasta dinner, isn’t there? And when you combine the robust, savory notes of Italian sausage with the sweet crispness of bell peppers, you’re truly onto a winning combination. This dynamic duo is a personal favorite – so much so that I’ve even adapted it for pizza! It’s no surprise, then, that bringing these beloved ingredients together in a satisfying pasta dish like this Sausage and Peppers Pasta creates a meal that’s destined to become a regular in your rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe

As seasons shift, many of us start yearning for meals that offer warmth and coziness, yet we’re not quite ready for the heavy stews of deep winter. This Sausage and Peppers Pasta perfectly bridges that gap. It delivers the comforting satisfaction of carbohydrates from the pasta, a true embrace for the soul, while still celebrating the freshness of bell peppers, which are often at their peak in early fall. Add in the hearty, spiced Italian sausage, and you have a perfectly balanced dinner that’s both substantial and bright. It’s a meal that promises to be devoured with enthusiasm, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed family gatherings.

A Flavorful Journey: Simple Ingredients, Grand Taste

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a pantry full of exotic ingredients or hours of cooking experience to create something truly spectacular. Each component plays a crucial role, contributing to a symphony of flavors that is both familiar and exciting. From the aromatic olive oil to the fragrant Italian seasoning, every addition builds upon the last, culminating in a sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta, ensuring every bite is packed with deliciousness.

Ingredients for Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Gathering your ingredients for this dish will be a breeze. Most of these items are likely already staples in your kitchen, or easily found at any local grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly flavorful pasta:

• Penne Pasta: Its tubular shape and ridges are perfect for capturing and holding the rich sauce.
• Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing, adding a smooth, rich base to your dish.
• Mild Italian Sausage: Provides a savory, herbaceous depth. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference.
• Bell Peppers: A medley of colors (red, yellow, orange) adds sweetness and a vibrant crunch.
• Onion: A classic aromatic that builds the flavor base of the sauce.
• Garlic: Essential for that authentic Italian taste, adding a pungent, savory kick.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Forms the body of the sauce, offering a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sausage.
• Tomato Sauce: Contributes to the smooth, rich consistency of your pasta sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A convenient blend of herbs that imparts a classic Italian aroma and flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes: An optional addition for a subtle or pronounced warmth, depending on your preference.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: For topping, adding a salty, umami finish.

Selecting the Best Ingredients

While the list is simple, choosing quality ingredients can elevate your dish. For the Italian sausage, look for brands that use high-quality pork and a good blend of spices. When selecting bell peppers, aim for firm, brightly colored ones without blemishes. Fresh garlic and onions will always offer the best flavor, though pre-minced garlic can be a time-saver in a pinch. Don’t skimp on a good quality extra virgin olive oil, as its flavor will shine through in the final dish.

How to Make Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Creating this delicious Sausage and Peppers Pasta is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:

1. Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your penne pasta and cook according to package directions until it reaches al dente. This means it should be firm to the bite, ensuring it won’t be mushy when combined with the sauce. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about half a cup of pasta water in case you need to thin your sauce later.
2. Brown the Sausage: While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausages to the pan, browning them on all sides until they are fully cooked through and beautifully golden. This step is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors.
3. Slice the Sausage: Carefully remove the cooked sausages from the skillet and place them on a cutting board. Allow them to cool slightly to make slicing easier. Once cooled, cut the sausages into ½-inch to 1-inch pieces. Set these flavorful slices aside.
4. Sauté Aromatics and Peppers: Using the same skillet (don’t clean it, as the leftover drippings add flavor!), add the diced bell peppers and onions. Cook them until they soften, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes. In the last 30 seconds of cooking, stir in the minced garlic, allowing its fragrant aroma to release without burning.
5. Build the Sauce: Now it’s time to bring the flavors together. To the skillet, add the canned diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
6. Simmer to Perfection: Return the sliced sausage pieces to the skillet with the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture gently simmer for at least 15 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, deepen, and slightly thicken the sauce. The longer it simmers, the more intense and harmonious the flavors will become.

Once your sauce has reached a delightful, slightly thickened consistency and the aromas have fully developed, it’s time to marry it with the pasta. Pour the flavorful sausage and pepper sauce directly over your cooked and drained noodles. Toss everything gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece of pasta is coated in the rich, vibrant sauce. It’s now ready to serve! For an extra touch of indulgence and freshness, consider garnishing each serving with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of fresh parsley or basil.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Elevate your Sausage and Peppers Pasta with these helpful tips and creative variations:

• Spice It Up: If you love a bit of heat, swap out the mild Italian sausage for a spicy variety. For a balanced kick, you can use a combination of both mild and spicy sausages. Don’t hesitate to add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce for an even more fiery experience.
• Bell Pepper Rainbow: While any color of bell pepper works beautifully, I often use an assortment – red, yellow, and orange. These tend to be sweeter than green bell peppers, adding a lovely depth to the sauce. Green bell peppers will still work and offer a slightly more savory, earthy flavor.
• Pasta Perfection: Penne pasta is my top choice for this recipe because its tube-like shape and ridges are excellent for catching the hearty sauce. However, feel free to experiment with any short-cut pasta you prefer, such as rigatoni, ziti, or cavatappi. While longer pasta shapes like spaghetti or linguine can be used, they might not hold onto the robust sauce quite as effectively.
• The Art of Simmering: The longer you allow the sauce to simmer, the more the flavors will deepen and meld, resulting in a richer, more complex taste and a thicker consistency. While 15 minutes is sufficient for a fantastic weeknight meal, letting it bubble gently for 30 minutes to an hour will create an even more intense and restaurant-quality sauce.
• Sneak in More Veggies: This dish is incredibly versatile for adding extra vegetables. Sliced zucchini, button mushrooms, or broccoli florets would be excellent additions, boosting both the nutritional value and the texture. Simply add them to the skillet with the bell peppers and onions and cook until tender.
• Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a must for a salty, umami finish. For a burst of color and fresh herbaceousness, chopped fresh parsley or basil makes a wonderful garnish. A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving can also enhance the overall aroma and flavor.
• Make Ahead and Storage: This pasta dish tastes even better the next day! It’s an excellent candidate for meal prep. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Serving Suggestions for Your Sausage and Peppers Pasta

This Sausage and Peppers Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but you can easily elevate it with a few complementary side dishes. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta. Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce, ensuring not a single drop of flavor is wasted. For an additional vegetable, steamed green beans or roasted asparagus would be excellent choices, adding more color and nutrients to your plate.

More Favorite Pasta Dinners to Explore

If you loved this Sausage and Peppers Pasta, you’ll surely enjoy these other comforting and delicious pasta recipes:

• Penne Pasta Bake
• One Pan Pasta with Bacon and Peas
• Shrimp Alfredo
• Cincinnati Chili
• Tuscan Pasta with Sausage
• Skillet Pasta with Sausage
• Skillet Lasagna

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Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

An easy dinner made with only a few ingredients, this Sausage and Peppers Pasta is filled with tons of flavor from Italian sausage, fresh bell peppers, and tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb penne pasta or other short cut pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 18 ounce package mild Italian sausage
• 3 bell peppers (I like colored) seeded and diced
• 1/2 onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes undrained
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt generously, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and fry until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove from the pan to a cutting board. Let the sausages cool slightly, then cut them into 3/4” to 1” pieces. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the bell peppers and onion. Cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
4. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, the sliced sausage, the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir it all together and simmer on low for about 15 minutes.
5. Pour the sausage mixture over the cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine.
6. Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition information does not include toppings.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 of recipe, Calories: 640kcal (32%), Carbohydrates: 70g (23%), Protein: 30g (60%), Fat: 27g (42%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 56mg (19%), Sodium: 2072mg (90%), Fiber: 9g (38%), Sugar: 19g (21%)

Keywords: pepper pasta, sausage and peppers pasta, sausage pasta recipe, easy pasta, Italian dinner