One-Pot Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Penne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

A comforting one-pot pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers simmered in a tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 penne pasta
• 1 lb, casings removed Italian sausage
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, for serving grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp, chopped, for garnish fresh parsley

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb Italian sausage with casings removed and crumble it while cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through with some crispy edges. Remove sausage and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and edges begin to caramelize.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil to the vegetables. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 12 oz penne pasta and the cooked sausage back into the skillet. Stir well to combine. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens to coat the pasta.
6. Step 6: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat and let stand for 2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Serve topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.