Spicy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Twist Recipe

Velvety Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Delight Recipe for Dinner Joy

Sizzling skillets and aromatic kitchens come alive with this creamy red pepper sausage pasta delight that promises an explosion of flavor.

Hearty Italian sausage mingles beautifully with rich, velvety sauce, creating a dish that speaks directly to comfort food lovers.

Robust spices dance through each bite, promising a meal that’s both satisfying and memorable.

Bold red peppers add a vibrant sweetness that cuts through the creamy texture, making every forkful irresistible.

The pasta catches the sauce perfectly, ensuring no delicious morsel goes to waste.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings will never be the same once you master this mouthwatering recipe.

Let’s dive into a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 703 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Use in Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

For Pasta Base:
  • Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation for the dish, choose a shape that catches sauce well like penne or rigatoni.
  • Olive Oil: Helps prevent pasta from sticking and adds subtle richness during cooking.
For Sauce Components:
  • Roasted Red Peppers: Delivers vibrant sweetness and depth, opt for jarred peppers for convenience and consistent flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: Enhances sauce's complexity and adds savory undertones.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and balances the pepper's tanginess.
  • Basil: Introduces fresh, aromatic notes that complement the creamy sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty dimension and helps thicken the sauce.
For Protein and Aromatics:
  • Sausage: Provides robust, meaty flavor and protein, choose spicy or mild based on preference.
  • Shallot: Offers delicate, sweet undertone that elevates overall dish complexity.
  • Garlic: Brings pungent, earthy essence that deepens flavor profile.
  • Salt: Amplifies and balances all other ingredients' taste.

Best Tools for Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

  • Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy red pepper sauce.
  • Large skillet: Perfect for browning sausage and combining all ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for breaking apart sausage and stirring the dish.
  • Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
  • Cutting board: Use for chopping shallots and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
  • Cheese grater: Helps create fresh, fluffy Parmesan cheese for the recipe.

Cooking Walkthrough for Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

  • Pasta Preparation

Boil water and transform ordinary pasta into a perfectly cooked base for your culinary adventure.

  • Flavor Fusion

Create a silky smooth sauce by blending roasted red peppers with rich cream and fragrant herbs in a powerful blender.

  • Sausage Sizzle

Brown sausage in a hot skillet, breaking it into delectable morsels that will infuse your dish with robust flavor.

  • Aromatic Base

Introduce shallots and garlic to the skillet, letting them dance and release their tantalizing essence.

  • Sauce Symphony

Pour the vibrant red pepper mixture into the skillet, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop deep, complex flavors.

  • Final Flourish

Combine pasta with the luscious sauce and sprinkle Parmesan cheese, stirring until every strand is lovingly coated in creamy goodness.

Ways to Enhance Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

  • Replace Italian sausage with ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
  • Add red pepper flakes or cayenne powder to increase heat, or use mild sausage for a more gentle taste experience.
  • Experiment with pecorino romano, asiago, or smoked gouda instead of traditional Parmesan to create unique sauce dimensions.
  • Prepare sauce base up to two days in advance and store in refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying weeknight cooking process.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, basil, or chives right before serving to add brightness and visual appeal to the finished dish.

Serving Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Creatively

  • Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley on top to add a burst of color and fresh, aromatic flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
  • Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, crusty baguette or garlic bread to soak up the delicious red pepper sauce and add a delightful texture contrast.
  • Create a Side Salad: Toss together a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the creamy pasta and provide a refreshing accompaniment.
  • Add Extra Cheese Topping: Grate additional Parmesan or sprinkle some crumbled feta on top for cheese lovers who want an extra layer of savory goodness.

Keeping Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Fresh

  • Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep it in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm the pasta gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.
  • Freeze for Later: Package the cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Prep in Advance: Chop shallots and mince garlic ahead of time, storing them in sealed containers. This quick-prep technique saves valuable cooking time and makes weeknight meals a breeze.
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Spicy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Twist Recipe

Spicy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Twist Recipe


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4.7 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Red pepper sausage pasta delight combines spicy Italian sausage with roasted peppers in a rich, creamy sauce. Quick weeknight dinners benefit from this hearty Mediterranean-inspired meal that satisfies deep comfort cravings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or medium shells recommended)
  • 2 cups roasted red peppers, drained (from a 16 oz jar)
  • 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 medium shallot, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 6 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside, preserving its perfect texture and readiness for the sauce.
  2. Sauce Creation: Blend roasted red peppers, chicken broth, heavy cream, and basil leaves into a velvety, vibrant sauce with smooth, uniform consistency.
  3. Sausage Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then brown Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into crispy, caramelized fragments that promise intense flavor.
  4. Aromatic Enhancement: Add shallots and garlic to the sausage, sautéing until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence, seasoning with kosher salt to amplify the dish’s depth.
  5. Sauce Integration: Pour the red pepper purée into the skillet, reducing heat and allowing the sauce to simmer gently, melding flavors and developing a rich, luxurious texture.
  6. Final Assembly: Fold in the reserved pasta and Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to ensure each strand is generously coated with the creamy, robust sauce, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
  7. Finishing Touch: Remove from heat after brief mixing, letting residual warmth finalize the sauce’s absorption and cheese incorporation, resulting in a perfectly balanced, irresistible pasta dish.

Notes

  • Pasta Perfection: Choose a short, sturdy pasta like penne or rigatoni that captures sauce effectively in its ridges and holds up to hearty sausage.
  • Pepper Power: Roast peppers at home for deeper, smokier flavor if time allows; jarred peppers work perfectly as a quick alternative.
  • Sausage Selection: Opt for spicy Italian sausage to add extra depth and heat, or use mild version for a more family-friendly meal.
  • Cheese Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother and provides richer flavor compared to pre-packaged versions; invest in a good quality block.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 703
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 497 mg
  • Fat: 43 g
  • Saturated Fat: 21 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 116 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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