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, finely chopped onion, minced garlic 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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
