Sausage and Peppers Pasta (Printable Version)

A comforting dish with sausage, bell peppers, onions, and pasta coated in a flavorful tomato blend.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb 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 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Sauce & Seasonings

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

→ Others

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

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
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 to the skillet. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
06 - Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix well. Simmer together for 3-4 minutes, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce thickens.
07 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
08 - Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, but tastes like you've been simmering it all afternoon.
  • The sausage does the heavy lifting on flavor, so you're not wrestling with complicated techniques.
  • Peppers soften and caramelize until they're almost sweet, a gentle contrast to the savory meat.
02 -
  • Never skip browning the sausage properly—rushing this step means missing out on caramelization and the depth it brings to the whole dish.
  • Reserve pasta water before you drain everything, and don't be shy about using it; starch is what makes sauce cling to noodles instead of pooling at the bottom.
03 -
  • Let the sausage and peppers caramelize without constant stirring—this is where the flavor deepens and the dish stops being just ingredients.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasonings aggressively; salty, peppery, and herbal should all sing a little bit.
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