Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A savory pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage and sweet bell peppers in a rich tomato sauce reminiscent of Buffalo’s Mulberry Italian flavors. This Italian pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Italian sausage links, olive oil, and red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 (12 oz total) Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 Italian sausage links, casings removed, breaking into pieces with a spoon; cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced yellow onion to the skillet; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, then add 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sausage and pepper sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves.
8. Step 8: Serve topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.