Go Back
–+ servings
Sweet Pepper & Sausage Pasta

Sweet Pepper & Sausage Pasta for a Cozy Weeknight Dinner

This Sweet Pepper & Sausage Pasta is a quick, delicious, and budget-friendly weeknight meal that your family will love.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Pasta penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
For the Protein
  • 1 pound Sausage mild or spicy Italian sausage
For the Vegetables
  • 2 cups Bell Peppers mixed red, yellow, and orange
  • 1 medium Onion sweet onion preferred
  • 3 cloves Garlic freshly minced
For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or half-and-half or milk
  • 14.5 ounces Crushed Tomatoes diced fresh tomatoes can be used
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning or add crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Light Brown Sugar
For the Finish
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil for sautéing
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast as dairy-free option

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water, drain, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add and brown the sausage for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté bell peppers, onion, and garlic for 15-20 minutes until softened and caramelized.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, light brown sugar, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
  5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently with the sauce, adjusting the consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
  6. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted. Serve warm topped with additional Parmesan and Italian herbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!