Spicy Sausage and Peppers Pasta
A hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage, roasted bell peppers, and a rich tomato-based sauce, tossed with penne pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage, bell peppers 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 penne pasta
- 2 links, casings removed and meat crumbled Italian sausage
- 2, red and yellow, sliced into 1/2-inch strips bell peppers
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 links of Italian sausage, crumbled, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups tomato sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Add 2 cups sliced bell peppers and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil and Parmesan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Sausage and Peppers Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 Spicy Sausage and Peppers 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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Sausage and Peppers 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 Spicy Sausage and Peppers 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 Spicy Sausage and Peppers 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
