Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Pasta
A quick 30-minute dinner featuring savory Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a light tomato sauce tossed with penne pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds Italian sausage links
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 large, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound sliced Italian sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 1 large sliced red bell pepper, 1 large sliced yellow bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until peppers soften and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet with the sausage and pepper sauce. Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine and heat through for 2 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell 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 ounces penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell 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 Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell 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 Pan-Seared Italian Sausage and Bell 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.
