Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
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-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, thinly sliced yellow onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" 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), casings removed Italian sausage links
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 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.
- Step 6: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sausage and pepper sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Step 8: Serve topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mulberry-Inspired Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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