Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers
A quick weeknight meal featuring tender spaghetti tossed with savory Italian sausage and crisp bell peppers in a light garlic-infused sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, Italian sausage, medium red bell pepper 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
- 12 oz Italian sausage
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
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 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
- Step 3: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Step 5: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until coated, adding more pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Toss for 1 minute until cheese melts and coats the pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers?
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 Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers?
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 Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers 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 Sautéed Spaghetti with Sausage and Bell Peppers?
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
- ★★★★★
Loved the flavors, especially the sweetness of the bell peppers. Made it for a date night and it was a hit!
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer! The sausage and bell peppers paired perfectly with the spaghetti. My family devoured it.
- ★★★★☆
The spaghetti was slightly overcooked for my taste, but the sauce was delicious. Will make again!
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