Sautéed Italian Sausage and Bell Pepper Penne

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

A vibrant pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage and sautéed bell peppers in a savory tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, sliced, olive oil 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
• 8 oz Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz sliced Italian sausage and sauté for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sliced 1 medium red bell pepper plus 1 medium green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the peppers soften and garlic is fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer over medium heat for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet with the sauce and sausage mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until the pasta is evenly coated and cheese melts slightly. Serve warm.