Craving a comforting, flavorful meal that comes together in a flash? Look no further. This Sausage and Pepper Pasta recipe is the answer to your busy weeknight prayers. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish that combines savory Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and tender onions in a rich, perfectly seasoned tomato sauce. This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a simple, one-pan wonder that delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
We’ll walk you through every simple step, from choosing the best ingredients to achieving the perfect sauce consistency. Get ready to put this easy Sausage and Pepper Pasta on your regular dinner rotation.
Why This Sausage and Pepper Pasta Recipe Works
This recipe stands out for its simplicity and depth of flavor. By browning the sausage first, you create a delicious foundation that seasons the entire dish. The peppers and onions soften directly in those savory drippings, ensuring every single bite is packed with taste. The sauce, a simple combination of crushed tomatoes and seasonings, comes together right in the same pan, making cleanup an absolute breeze.
It’s incredibly versatile, allowing for easy substitutions based on what you have on hand. Most importantly, it’s a balanced meal in one bowl that will leave you feeling satisfied and happy.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Sausage and Pepper Pasta
The magic of this dish lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients. You don’t need a long shopping list to create something truly delicious. Here’s what makes this recipe shine.
Choosing Your Sausage
The star of the show is the Italian sausage. You have options here, and each brings a unique flavor profile. Mild or sweet Italian sausage provides a classic, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet peppers. If you prefer a bit of a kick, hot Italian sausage is an excellent choice that adds a gentle, warming heat to the final dish.
The Best Peppers and Onions
A combination of colorful bell peppers not only makes the dish visually appealing but also adds layers of sweetness. I recommend using a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers. A simple yellow onion provides the aromatic base that brings everything together.
Building the Perfect Sauce
You don’t need a sauce that simmers for hours to get incredible flavor. The key is to build layers. We start with the rendered fat from the sausage, then sauté the aromatics, and finally add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste for richness, and a blend of classic Italian seasonings. A splash of pasta water at the end helps create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every piece of pasta.
What Pasta Shape is Best?
For a hearty sauce like this, you want a pasta shape with plenty of surface area and texture to hold onto it. Tubular shapes like Penne, Rigatoni, or Ziti are perfect choices. Their ridges and hollow centers are ideal for trapping the delicious sausage and pepper sauce.
How to Make Sausage and Pepper Pasta (Step-by-Step)
This simple process makes our Sausage and Pepper Pasta recipe perfect for any night of the week. Follow these steps for a flawless result.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until it’s al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Brown the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. If using sausage links, remove the casings. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the sliced bell peppers and onion to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Tips for Success
Even a simple recipe can benefit from a few expert tips. Here’s how to guarantee your pasta is perfect every time.
- Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The starchy water is liquid gold! It helps the sauce emulsify and cling to the pasta, creating a much better texture than plain water.
- Get a Good Sear: Take the time to properly brown the sausage. This caramelization process, known as the Maillard reaction, creates a huge amount of flavor that forms the base of your sauce.
- Deglaze If Needed: If you have browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan after cooking the sausage (a good thing!), you can deglaze with a splash of red wine or broth before adding the vegetables to lift all that concentrated flavor into your sauce.
Easy Variations and Add-Ins
This Sausage and Pepper Pasta is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas for creativity. Try adding a splash of heavy cream or cream cheese at the end for a richer, creamier sauce. For extra vegetables, consider stirring in a handful of fresh spinach or some mushrooms with the peppers. If you love heat, feel free to add extra red pepper flakes or even try making a spicy sauce from scratch to incorporate.
What to Serve With Your Pasta
This is a hearty, all-in-one meal, but a simple side can round it out beautifully. A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette or a simple beet and feta salad provides a fresh, acidic contrast. Of course, you can never go wrong with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread for soaking up any extra sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave it in short bursts or gently warm it in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen sliced peppers and onions for convenience. Add them directly to the skillet from frozen; you may just need to cook them for a few extra minutes to allow any excess water to evaporate.
For a creamy version, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or 2 ounces of softened cream cheese into the sauce at the very end of the cooking process, just before serving. Stir until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
When stored properly in an airtight container, leftover sausage and pepper pasta will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to deglaze the pan after cooking the sausage. Other great additions include a pinch of fennel seeds with the sausage, a handful of Kalamata olives, or fresh spinach stirred in at the end until wilted.
Sweet or mild Italian sausage is the classic choice for a balanced, savory flavor. However, if you enjoy some heat, hot Italian sausage works wonderfully to add a spicy kick to the dish.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this dish, you’ll love exploring other flavorful pasta creations. For a different kind of kick, try this incredible Cajun Steak Pasta. And for something bright and zesty, this Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta is an absolute must-try.
The Perfect Sausage and Pepper Pasta Recipe
Sausage and Pepper Pasta (The Ultimate Weeknight Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for one minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the sausage to the skillet along with the drained pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a smooth sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the sausage; work in batches if necessary to ensure it gets a nice, flavorful crust.
Share Your Creation!
This Sausage and Pepper Pasta is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of simple, delicious food made with love. It’s the perfect meal to share with family and friends. If you make this dish and love it, please share your creation on Pinterest! We can’t wait to see it.
