Zesty Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Sizzling pans and aromatic herbs set the stage for a mouthwatering pasta with spicy Italian sausage and peppers that promises pure culinary excitement.

Bold flavors dance across your plate with each carefully crafted bite.

The combination of robust sausage and vibrant bell peppers creates a symphony of taste that feels like a weekend in Tuscany.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish delivers comfort in every forkful.

Rustic ingredients come together effortlessly, turning a simple meal into an extraordinary experience.

Rich tomato sauce hugs tender pasta, while spicy sausage adds a delightful kick that keeps you coming back for more.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor an irresistible Italian classic that will make your taste buds sing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 496 kcal

Servings: 5

Start With These for Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Pasta: Hearty base that absorbs the rich sauce's flavors, choose a sturdy shape like penne or rigatoni for maximum sauce capture.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps season pasta during cooking.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that adds authentic Mediterranean warmth and depth to the dish.
• Red Chili Flakes: Provides a spicy kick and vibrant heat to elevate the sauce's complexity.

• Italian Sausage: Robust, flavorful meat that brings a zesty and rich character to the pasta, select fresh or high-quality ground sausage.
• Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic foundation and creates depth in the sauce.
• Bell Peppers: Introduces crisp texture and bright color, choose ripe, firm peppers for maximum sweetness.
• Garlic: Powerful aromatic that infuses intense, pungent flavor into the entire dish.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps develop rich flavors and prevents sticking.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that thickens and intensifies the sauce.
• Chicken Stock: Adds layers of savory liquid and enhances overall sauce complexity.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates a vibrant, chunky base for the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, nutty finish and creamy texture to complete the dish.

Prep Tool Needed for Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with ample space.
• Colander: Perfect for draining pasta after cooking.
• Large Deep Pan or Dutch Oven: Key for sautéing sausage and vegetables, building sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and breaking up sausage while cooking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, peppers, and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurate stock and ingredient measurements.

Keep It Fresh: Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The sausage and sauce will keep well in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavors.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring a quick and tasty meal is always ready when needed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent breaking pasta and maintain sauce consistency.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and prepare sauce base one day in advance. Store separately in sealed containers, reducing cooking time when ready to complete the meal.

How You’ll Cook Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water with salt and cook pasta until perfectly tender. Save a cup of starchy water before draining.

• Sausage Sizzle

Brown sausage in a deep pan, breaking into delicious crumbles until golden and fragrant.

• Vegetable Medley

Toss onions and colorful bell peppers into the pan, allowing them to soften and release their sweet essence.

• Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle garlic, chili flakes, and herbs to create an aromatic base that awakens the senses.

• Sauce Symphony

Pour tomato paste, stock, and crushed tomatoes into the pan. Let the mixture simmer and develop rich, complex layers of flavor.

• Final Fusion

Marry the pasta with the robust sauce, stirring in Parmesan for a creamy finish. Serve steaming hot with an extra dusting of cheese to delight hungry guests.

Make It Better: Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers Tweaks & Ideas

• Adjust the red chili flakes to make the dish mild or extra spicy, matching your personal tolerance for heat.
• Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based sausage for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach to boost nutritional value and create unique texture combinations.
• Try alternative cheeses like pecorino romano, asiago, or nutritional yeast for distinct taste variations and interesting depth of flavor.
• Make extra sauce and freeze in portions for future quick weeknight dinners, saving time and ensuring a delicious meal is always ready.

Best Ways to Plate Pasta with Spicy Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Serve Family-Style: Gather everyone around the table and place the pasta in a large, rustic serving dish. Let everyone help themselves to hearty portions of this spicy, comforting meal.
• Add Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top just before serving to brighten the dish with a pop of color and fresh flavor.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the meal with a satisfying crunch.
• Create a Side Salad: Complement the rich pasta with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette to balance the spicy and hearty flavors of the main dish.

Fiery Pasta With Italian Sausage And Peppers Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty pasta with spicy Italian sausage and peppers combines robust flavors from traditional Southern Italian cooking. Sizzling sausage and sweet bell peppers create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on cool evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 400 g (1 lb) Italian sausage
• 250 g (8.8 oz) pasta
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 200 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
• 30 g (⅓ cup) grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red chilli flakes

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted large stockpot of water to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving some starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Sausage Searing: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Crumble and brown Italian sausage until it develops a deep golden crust, releasing rich, savory flavors.
3. Vegetable Infusion: Add sliced onions and bell peppers to the sausage. Sauté until vegetables soften and become slightly translucent, creating a aromatic base for the sauce.
4. Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow the spices to bloom briefly, intensifying the dish’s complex flavor profile.
5. Sauce Development: Incorporate tomato paste, chicken stock, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer the mixture gently for 10 minutes, stirring intermittently to develop a rich, harmonious sauce.
6. Final Composition: Toss the perfectly cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring complete coating. Fold in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, adjusting seasonings to create a perfectly balanced dish.
7. Serving Finale: Plate the pasta immediately, presenting a steaming, vibrant meal. Optionally garnish with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra indulgence.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water: Starchy water helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly adheres to pasta noodles, enhancing overall dish texture and flavor.
• Sausage Browning Technique: Crumble sausage into small pieces while cooking to ensure even caramelization and maximize delicious crispy edges for deeper flavor profile.
• Vegetable Sauté Timing: Avoid overcooking peppers and onions; keep them slightly crisp to maintain fresh texture and prevent becoming mushy or losing vibrant colors.
• Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust salt, chili flakes, and Parmesan gradually to personalize heat level and ensure harmonious flavor without overwhelming individual ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 496
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 740 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg