Zesty Sausage and Pepper Pasta Delight Recipe for Family Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions like this sausage and pepper pasta delight that promises to rescue you from mealtime monotony.

Bursting with robust flavors and colorful ingredients, this dish comes together faster than you can order takeout.

The sizzling Italian sausage melds perfectly with sweet bell peppers and al dente pasta.

Rich, savory notes dance across your palate with each forkful of this comforting meal.

Aromatic herbs and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevate this simple recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

One bite transports you to a rustic Italian kitchen, where simplicity meets pure culinary magic.

Grab your skillet and get ready to turn an everyday dinner into a memorable feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Sausage And Pepper Pasta: What’s Inside

• Sausage: Brings robust, savory flavor and hearty texture to the dish; choose fresh Italian sausage for best results.
• Pasta: Serves as the foundation of the meal; select a short pasta like penne or rigatoni that catches sauce well.

• Onion, Bell Peppers: Provide sweet and crisp vegetable base; select colorful peppers for visual appeal and varied flavor.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic undertone; fresh garlic cloves deliver more intense flavor than pre-minced.
• Red Chili Flakes, Italian Seasoning: Introduce warmth and herbal complexity; adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Tomato Paste, Crushed Tomatoes: Create rich, tangy sauce foundation; select high-quality canned tomatoes for best consistency.
• Chicken Stock: Enhances sauce depth and moisture; low-sodium versions offer better control of salt levels.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides salty, nutty finish; freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-packaged.
• Olive Oil: Enables smooth cooking and adds subtle fruity undertone; extra virgin offers most robust flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasoning to balance and elevate overall taste profile.

Equipment You’ll Need For This Pasta Dish

• Large pot: For boiling pasta with generous salt.
• Deep pan or Dutch oven: Spacious cooking vessel for sausage and vegetable preparation.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for crumbling sausage and stirring ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for dicing onions, slicing peppers, and chopping garlic.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for ingredient preparation.
• Cheese grater: Essential for creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings and spices.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked pasta.

Making Sausage And Pepper Pasta Easy

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a pot of water with a generous sprinkle of salt. Cook pasta until perfectly tender, then save a splash of the cooking water before draining.

• Sausage Magic

Warm a pan and add olive oil. Break up sausage into bite-sized pieces, letting them dance and brown until they develop a gorgeous golden color.

• Veggie Symphony

Toss chopped onions and colorful bell peppers into the pan with the sausage. Let them mingle and soften, creating a delicious base of flavors.

• Aromatic Awakening

Introduce minced garlic, a whisper of red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let the spices release their fragrant essence for a quick moment.

• Sauce Creation

Stir in tomato paste, then pour in chicken stock and crushed tomatoes. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, developing rich depth and complexity.

• Pasta and Sauce Union

Marry the cooked pasta with the vibrant sauce, ensuring every strand is lovingly coated. If needed, splash in some reserved pasta water to create the perfect consistency.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the dish, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and serve immediately for a meal that celebrates comfort and flavor.

Tweaks & Additions For Pasta

• Swap Italian sausage with spicy chorizo, chicken sausage, or plant-based alternatives for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach to boost nutrition and create a more colorful dish.
• Cook pasta just under al dente since it will continue cooking in the sauce, preventing mushy noodles and maintaining ideal consistency.
• Blend different cheeses like pecorino romano, asiago, or provolone with parmesan to create a more complex and rich flavor dimension.
• Prepare the sauce in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and making weeknight dinner preparation faster and easier.

Best Ways To Serve This Pasta

• Serve with Crusty Bread: Slice up a warm, crispy baguette or rustic Italian bread to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce and add a delightful crunch to your meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to brighten the dish with a pop of color and a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor.
• Pair with Side Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Add Grated Cheese on Table: Place a small bowl of extra grated Parmesan cheese at the table, allowing everyone to customize their plate with an extra sprinkle of cheesy goodness.

Storage Notes For Sausage Pasta

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish cool and sealed to maintain its fresh taste and texture.
• Freeze for Later: Carefully transfer the pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when you're ready to enjoy it again.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to prevent drying. Stir gently to redistribute the sauce and restore its original deliciousness.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and brown sausage in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. This smart approach saves time and makes weeknight cooking a breeze, letting you assemble the dish quickly when hunger strikes.

Saucy Sausage And Pepper Pasta Feast Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sausage and pepper pasta delight spotlights robust Italian flavors with hearty ingredients. Crisp bell peppers and savory sausage mingle seamlessly, creating a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (400 g) Italian sausage, casings removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 8.8 oz (250 g) pasta
• 1 cup (200 ml) chicken stock
• 14 oz (400 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp red chili flakes
• ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Carefully extract and preserve some pasta water before draining.
2. Sausage Searing: In a spacious skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Crumble and brown sausage, breaking into smaller pieces until golden and crisp.
3. Vegetable Infusion: Add diced onions and bell peppers to the sausage-filled pan. Sauté until vegetables soften and develop a light caramelized exterior, releasing their natural sweetness.
4. Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow the ingredients to meld and release their intense flavors, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
5. Sauce Development: Incorporate tomato paste, then pour in chicken stock and crushed tomatoes. Stir to create a harmonious sauce, reducing heat to simmer and allow flavors to mingle and intensify.
6. Final Integration: Combine cooked pasta with the rich sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed for optimal texture.
7. Finishing Touch: Fold in Parmesan cheese, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every pasta strand.
• Sausage Browning Technique: Break sausage into small, uneven pieces while cooking to maximize crispy edges and develop deep, caramelized flavor profiles.
• Vegetable Sauté Secret: Allow bell peppers and onions to develop slight caramelization for enhanced sweetness and depth of flavor, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
• Cheese Finishing Touch: Add Parmesan cheese off the heat to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy texture that complements the robust sauce.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg