One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Penne with Roasted Red Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A bold pasta dish that combines spicy Italian sausage with sweet roasted red peppers in a savory tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs Italian sausage, casings removed, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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 Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage (casings removed) and crumble it, cooking for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 4 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz crushed tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 12 oz dry penne pasta to the simmering sauce, stirring to submerge the pasta. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves until cheese melts and sauce coats the pasta evenly. Serve warm.