One-Pot Italian Sausage and Pepper Penne

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

A hearty Italian pasta dish featuring spicy sausage, sweet bell peppers, and al dente penne simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs Italian sausage links, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 Italian sausage links
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casings from 12 oz Italian sausage links, crumble into the pan, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper to the sausage. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onions become translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 8 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-14 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Serve warm.