One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta
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 ready in about 35 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, large, thinly sliced red bell pepper, large, thinly sliced yellow 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Serve hot topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper 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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper 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 One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper 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 One-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper 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.
