One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

A quick and hearty Italian-inspired pasta dish with savory sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a light tomato sauce, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage links, olive oil, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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

• 1 pound, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds Italian sausage links
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 14 ounces, canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup, for serving 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: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound sliced Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion, 1 large thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 large thinly sliced yellow bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 8 ounces penne pasta, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve hot topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.