Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta: A Zesty Family Recipe

Creamy red pepper sausage pasta weaves magic through simple ingredients and bold flavors.

Italian comfort food converts ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable culinary experiences.

Robust sausage melts seamlessly with velvety sauce, creating depth that tantalizes taste buds.

Bright red peppers contribute sweet undertones and vibrant color to this classic dish.

Hearty textures blend harmoniously, promising a satisfying meal that feels both rustic and elegant.

Rich, indulgent components elevate this recipe from basic to extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired comfort and deliciousness.

Why Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Stands Out

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This pasta delivers rich, velvety smoothness from the blended red pepper sauce and heavy cream, creating a luxurious coating that hugs every pasta strand with indulgent flavor.
• Quick and Convenient Weeknight Winner: The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Bold Flavor Explosion: Roasted red peppers, spicy sausage, and sharp Parmesan cheese combine to create a taste profile that's simultaneously robust, tangy, and deeply satisfying, offering a gourmet experience in a simple recipe.
• One-Pan Magic: By preparing everything in a single skillet, this recipe minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor development, allowing each ingredient to enhance the others through direct cooking interactions.

What You’ll Need for Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Pasta: Classic base for the dish, hold sauce well and provide hearty texture.

• Sausage: Rich, flavorful meat that adds depth and savory notes to the pasta.

• Roasted Red Peppers: Sweet, smoky base that creates the sauce's vibrant color and complex flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Adds liquid depth and enhances overall sauce richness.
• Heavy Cream: Provides creamy, smooth texture to the sauce.
• Shallot: Mild, sweet onion flavor that complements other ingredients.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies the dish's savory character.
• Basil: Fresh herb that brings brightness and herbal notes to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami ingredient that adds richness and depth.

• Olive Oil: High-quality fat for sautéing and adding subtle flavor.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste of the dish.

Cooking Instructions for Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Create Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

• Roasted red peppers
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Basil

Step 3: Cook Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until well-browned.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics

• Chopped shallot
• Minced garlic

Sauté for 3 minutes until shallot becomes tender. Season with salt.

Step 5: Combine Sauce

Pour blended red pepper mixture into the skillet. Simmer over medium-low heat, allowing flavors to blend.

Step 6: Finish Pasta Dish

• Drained pasta
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly to coat pasta and melt cheese.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to serving plates. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil or additional Parmesan cheese.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

• Master Sausage Browning: Achieve deep, caramelized flavor by ensuring sausage is broken into small, even pieces during cooking for maximum surface area and rich color.
• Cream Sauce Smoothness: Blend roasted red peppers thoroughly to create a silky, consistent sauce without lumps, guaranteeing a luxurious texture in every bite.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually while stirring to prevent clumping and create a glossy, well-integrated sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
• Pasta Al Dente Secret: Cook pasta just until firm to the bite, as it will continue absorbing sauce when mixed, preventing mushy or overcooked noodles.
• Flavor Layering Trick: Season each component separately – sausage, shallots, and final sauce – to build complex, deep flavors throughout the dish.

Reheat and Store Creamy Red Pepper Pasta

• Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store the pasta for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping the sauce and pasta together to maintain moisture. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even warming. Microwave as a quick alternative, covering the dish and heating in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Avoid overcooking to prevent the pasta from becoming dry or rubbery. Discard any leftovers that have been stored for more than 4 days or show signs of spoilage.

Pairing Suggestions for Creamy Sausage Pasta

• Boost Wine Pairing: Grab a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Zinfandel to complement the sausage's rich, spicy profile and cut through the creamy sauce's richness.
• Fresh Salad Companion: Toss a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and balance the pasta's hearty, creamy texture.
• Crusty Bread Side: Serve warm, rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious red pepper sauce and provide a crunchy contrast to the smooth pasta.
• Zesty Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top to introduce a fresh, aromatic layer that lifts the entire dish's flavor profile.

Variations to Enhance Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Spicy Chorizo Fusion: Replace the sausage with spicy chorizo for a bold, zesty kick. Add red pepper flakes to intensify the heat and create a more robust flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Blend: Swap sausage for roasted eggplant and zucchini. Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and add oregano to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
• Smoky Gouda Pepper Pasta: Substitute Parmesan with smoked Gouda cheese for a deeper, more complex taste. Include some sun-dried tomatoes to complement the smoky notes and add extra depth to the sauce.
• Lighter Chicken Version: Use ground chicken instead of sausage for a leaner protein option. Incorporate fresh thyme and a splash of white wine to enhance the overall flavor complexity.

Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Red Pepper Sausage Pasta Delight brings Italian-inspired comfort to dinner tables with rich, hearty flavors. Spicy sausage mingles with silky sauce, creating a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup heavy cream

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups roasted red peppers, drained (from a 16 ounce jar)
• 1 medium shallot, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 fresh basil leaves

Pasta and Seasoning:

• 12 ounces pasta (penne or medium shells recommended)
• 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare dried pasta according to package directions, cooking until perfectly tender with a slight bite. Drain in a colander and reserve.
2. Transform roasted red peppers, low-sodium chicken broth, rich heavy cream (236 milliliters or ), and fresh basil leaves into a silky, vibrant sauce by blending thoroughly until completely smooth.
3. Warm extra virgin olive oil (30 milliliters or ) in a generously sized skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce Italian sausage, methodically fragmenting the meat with a sturdy wooden spatula until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
4. Incorporate finely minced shallots and crushed garlic into the sausage, sautéing for approximately 2-3 minutes until aromatics become translucent and fragrant. Sprinkle kosher salt to elevate the overall flavor profile.
5. Gently cascade the crimson pepper purée into the skillet, reducing heat to medium-low. Allow the sauce to softly bubble, melding the complex flavors and creating a luscious consistency.
6. Introduce the reserved pasta directly into the bubbling sauce, followed by freshly grated Parmesan cheese (60 grams or ). Continuously stir and fold the ingredients, ensuring each pasta strand becomes luxuriously coated with the creamy, robust sauce.
7. Remove from heat after 2 minutes of careful mixing, letting the residual warmth complete the final moments of sauce absorption and cheese integration.

Notes

• Elevate your pasta game with this restaurant-worthy dish that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy masterpiece.
• Roasting red peppers beforehand intensifies their sweetness and depth, creating a luxurious sauce base that’s far from ordinary.
• Breaking sausage into smaller pieces ensures maximum flavor distribution and creates delightful crispy edges in every bite.
• Parmesan cheese acts as a magical binding agent, melting smoothly into the sauce and adding a nutty, savory undertone.
• Simmering the sauce on medium-low heat allows flavors to harmonize without risking separation or burning.
• Serving immediately after cooking guarantees the most vibrant taste and perfect sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 620 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg