Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta is an easy, savory 20 minute meal, perfect for a busy weeknight that the whole family will enjoy.

Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

These three ingredients are a trifecta of deliciousness!! This is one of those dinner recipes that after making it once becomes a regular on the menu. I have made this recipe so many times and it really never gets old.

You will love this recipe because it is easy to make, takes just a few simple ingredients, feeds a crowd, and bursts with flavor!

Italian Sausage Pasta Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: Choose hot or mild Italian sausage for this recipe and you can usually purchase it already ground and ready to use or in casing. To remove it from the casing, just use a sharp knife to slice down the backside and remove the sausage.
• Bell Peppers: Red, orange, and yellow bell peppers add a delicious peppery, sweet flavor to this pasta recipe.
• Onion: a yellow or white onion will add the best flavor to this sausage pasta recipe.
• Garlic: fresh garlic is best if available, ‘jarlic’ (jarred minced garlic) will work as well if that’s what you have on hand.
• Italian Diced Tomatoes: this canned tomato variety is already seasoned with perfect Italian herbs that will help to season the sauce.
• Beef Broth: the main role of the beef broth is to add flavor and additional moisture to the sauce.
• Parmesan: all good pasta dishes end with a dusting of Parmesan. If available, always grate your own Parmesan cheese, the difference is noticeable from the packaged cheese.
• Fresh Basil: Basil adds a lot of flavor to this recipe. One tablespoon of dried basil can be used if you don’t have fresh.
• Pasta: we like to use bowtie pasta, but any other shaped or long pasta could be mixed into the sauce.

Making Sausage and Peppers Pasta

I love this recipe because it can be easily thrown together. Let’s walk through the simple steps to make this pasta recipe.

1. Cook Pasta: cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to add salt to the water, this will help flavor the pasta as it cooks. Just before draining the pasta, reserve at least one cup of pasta water to use in the sauce if needed.
2. Cook Sausage: in a large skillet, cook the sausage in some olive oil until it is browned. Remove from the pan to a clean plate or bowl. Drain off any excess grease with a paper towel as needed.
3. Cook Vegetables: cook the sliced peppers, onions, and garlic in the same pan. Add additional olive oil if needed. Season with salt and black pepper, and cook until tender. Don’t overcook them, you don’t want them to get mushy.
4. Add Liquids: pour in the beef broth and canned Italian tomatoes. Add the browned sausage back into the pan at this point. Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn down the heat to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add Pasta: add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat with the sauce.
6. Enjoy: top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

To store leftovers of Italian sausage pasta place in an air-tight container and refrigerator for up to 4 days. This can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place in the microwave and heat in 30 second increments, stirring in between until heated through.

What to Serve with Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta

While this can make a meal on its own, some of our favorite sides to eat with this recipe are:

• Dutch Oven Bread: this crusty bread is perfect for dipping in the sauce from this pasta
• Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad: Cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta are mixed in a balsamic dressing for a refreshing salad.
• Roasted Frozen Broccoli: a green vegetable is a great side dish for this pepper pasta dish.

Recipe post updated with new images and additional information and tips 3/13/2024.