One-Pan Sausage and Peppers Pasta
A vibrant weeknight meal with Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce all simmered together with pasta in a single skillet for effortless cooking. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, chicken broth 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
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 2 medium (1 red, 1 yellow), sliced bell peppers
- 1 small, thinly sliced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add 2 sliced bell peppers, 1 sliced onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup marinara sauce, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan 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 One-Pan 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan 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 One-Pan 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 One-Pan 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
