Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Sausage and Peppers Pasta combines savory Italian sausage with sweet bell peppers and a simple tomato sauce, tossed with al dente pasta for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage casings removed
- 12 oz pasta penne or rigatoni
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 bell peppers sliced
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juices
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
To Finish
- 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
Cook Pasta
- Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Prepare Sausage & Veggies
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking apart, until golden-brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add sliced onion and bell peppers. Sauté until softened and slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Build & Combine
- Pour in diced tomatoes with juices and chicken broth. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Cook for 2 more minutes to meld flavors.
- Remove from heat and fold in fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Test Note 1: I found that removing sausage casings and crumbling yields more even browning.
Test Note 2: Letting the sauce simmer uncovered helps concentrate flavors without becoming watery.
Test Note 3: After refrigerating, reheating in a skillet over medium-low with a splash of broth restored the saucy texture perfectly.