Name: Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound pasta (such as penne or rigatoni); 1 pound Italian sausage; 2 bell peppers, sliced (red and green); 1 onion, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; Salt and pepper to taste; Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

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Make this easy, delicious and hearty Sausage and Peppers Pasta in tomato sauce for any weeknight dinner. This classic Italian dish combines the flavors of savory sausage, sweet peppers, and tangy tomato sauce to create a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. The best part is that you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator to make this dish without buying any special ingredients.

Ingredients for Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Pasta - Cook the pasta and set it aside as you prepare the rest of the dish. This dish is made with penne; however you can use rigatoni, fusilli, or any pasta shape you prefer.
Mixed Peppers - We used red and green bell peppers for a mix of color and flavor. Red peppers add a little bit of sweetness to the dish while the green peppers balance out the sweetness. However, you can use just one type of pepper or a colorful mix of green, red, orange and yellow peppers. Mixed colors will add a bright visual appeal to your sausage and peppers pasta.
Olive oil – We always use light olive oil for most of our cooking, However, you can use any other light flavored oil that you have on hand.
Sausage – This recipe is made with hot Italian sausage. However, either mild or sweet sausage works great if you prefer a less spicy meal.
Onion – White or yellow onion works great, if you only have red onion, you can use that too.
Garlic – Fresh minced garlic, this is an ingredient that you can use generously if you prefer a heavier garlic flavor.
Tomatoes – Full can of crushed tomatoes as the base of the red sauce.
Spices – This dish comes together with a blend of Italian herbs such as oregano and basil. If you prefer extra spice, add in some red crushed pepper flakes.
Seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste.
Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese topping is optional, and it will make a flavorful difference.

Ingredients

1 pound pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
1 pound Italian sausage
2 bell peppers, sliced (red and green)
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables.
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, until the flavors have melded together.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Serve the pasta with sausage and peppers in a tomato sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips and Variations

While this sausage and peppers recipe is delicious as is, you can also customize it to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few tips and variations you can try:

Spicy Sausage, Mild or Sweet Sausage:

This is taste preference, use your favorite sausage. Use high-quality sausage for the best flavor. Look for sausage that is made with real ingredients and minimal additives. You can also use chicken or trukey sausage, if you prefer.

Pasta Choices

While you can use any type of pasta in this dish, just make sure not to overcook it. Follow the directions on the pasta package and cook it until it is al dente, which means it still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy when it is added to the sauce.

Add Extra Veggies

Feel free to add other vegetables to the dish. This recipe is versatile, and you can add vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to make it even more nutritious. This will add a fresh and vibrant flavor to this sausage and peppers pasta meal.

Seasoning the Sauce

Adjust the seasoning to taste. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add some red pepper flakes. If you like a sweeter sauce, add a pinch or two of sugar. If you are using spicy sausage and a sweeten up the sauce, your sausage and peppers dish will be a delicious mix of sweet and spicy.

Vegetarian Option:

If you prefer a meatless meal, you can omit the sausage and add "meaty" textured vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, or eggplant. You can also substitute vegetarian sausage or plant-based protein for the meat.

Fresh Herb Infused:

To add an extra layer of flavor, you can infuse the tomato sauce with fresh herbs instead of dried. Add a spoonful of chopped fresh basil or parsley to the sauce during the simmering process.

Enjoy this sausage and peppers pasta dinner anytime of the week. It is ready to serve in 30 minutes, making is a quick meal with minimal clean-up.

6 Servings

Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
1 pound Italian sausage
2 bell peppers, sliced (red and green)
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables.
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, until the flavors have melded together.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Serve the pasta with sausage and peppers in a tomato sauce hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 408Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 629mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 20g

Calories are estimated and may vary.