Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Penne

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

Penne pasta tossed with smoky wood-fired Italian sausage, sweet roasted bell peppers, and a light tomato sauce infused with garlic and fresh basil. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, Italian sausage links, red bell pepper 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
• 4 links (about 16 oz) Italian sausage links
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 large yellow bell pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Cut 1 large red bell pepper and 1 large yellow bell pepper into 1/2-inch strips, toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt, and roast on a baking sheet for 20 minutes until edges are slightly charred and tender.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casing from 4 Italian sausage links and crumble the meat into the skillet. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the sausage and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
5. Step 5: Pour in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Step 6: Stir in the roasted peppers and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.