Sausage Peppers Pasta (Printer-friendly)

Hearty Italian-American style sausage and peppers tossed with pasta in a flavorful tomato sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 large onion, thinly sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

07 - 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Sauce & Seasonings

08 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Others

14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
16 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
06 - Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix well. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
07 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat in the sauce. Heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
08 - Plate the pasta and sprinkle with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, and tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Those caramelized peppers are the secret weapon—they turn something ordinary into something people ask you to make again.
  • It's forgiving enough to improvise with, but structured enough that even a weeknight dinner feels special.
02 -
  • Salt your pasta water generously—it's the only time the pasta itself gets seasoned, so don't be shy.
  • The magic happens when you let those peppers and onions take their time; rushing this step means missing out on the caramelization that makes the sauce taste deeper.
  • Keep that pasta water nearby; it's your secret weapon for adjusting the sauce's consistency at the very end.
03 -
  • Don't drain your pasta completely dry; a little starchy water clinging to it helps it coat better in the sauce.
  • If you make this ahead and reheat it, add a splash of pasta water or stock to loosen the sauce back up—it will have tightened overnight.
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