The Perfect Italian Sausage And Colorful Pepper Pasta Bake Recipe

Italian sausage upgrades ordinary pasta into a vibrant, mouthwatering feast that promises comfort and excitement.

Bold flavors dance through each carefully layered ingredient, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Hearty sausage intertwines with sweet, roasted peppers, promising a meal that feels both rustic and sophisticated.

Families and friends gather around this inviting dish, drawn by its irresistible aroma and golden, bubbling surface.

Robust seasonings bring depth and warmth to every single bite, elevating this classic combination beyond simple weeknight fare.

colorful ingredients meld together, promising a culinary experience that satisfies both hunger and imagination.

Rich, melted cheese blankets the entire creation, sealing in the savory essence of each component.

Why Italian Sausage and Colorful Pepper Pasta Bake Pops

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This pasta bake explodes with the rich, spicy notes of Italian sausage and the sweet, roasted taste of colorful bell peppers, creating a mouthwatering combination that dances on your taste buds.
• Effortless Weeknight Comfort: Designed for busy home cooks, this one-pan wonder comes together quickly and delivers a satisfying meal that feels like a restaurant-quality dinner without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: The recipe welcomes personal touches – swap sausage types, experiment with different peppers, or add your favorite herbs to make this dish uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.
• Texture Sensation Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between crispy-edged pasta, tender sausage chunks, and soft roasted peppers that provide an exciting interplay of textures in every single bite.

Ingredients List for Sausage and Pepper Pasta Bake

• Penne Pasta, Rotini: Classic pasta shapes that hold sauce well, with ridges for extra flavor grip.
• Italian Sausage: Flavorful meat that adds rich, spicy taste to the dish, preferably fresh and high-quality.

• Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Colorful peppers that add sweetness, crunch, and vibrant appearance to the dish.
• Onion: Provides a foundational flavor base and aromatic depth to the recipe.
• Garlic: Adds intense, sharp flavor that complements the sausage and enhances overall taste.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian tomato sauce that brings moisture and traditional flavor to the pasta bake.
• Olive Oil: Helps in sautéing vegetables and adds a smooth, rich undertone.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a creamy and stretchy topping for the pasta bake.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty finish and helps create a golden brown crust.
• Fresh Basil: Provides a fresh, aromatic garnish with bright herbal notes.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

Directions to Bake This Colorful Pasta Dish

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until it’s just tender, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown Sausage with Flavor

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage from its casing and crumble into the pan. Cook until the meat is golden brown and fully cooked, breaking it into small pieces as it sizzles.

Step 3: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

• Bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Craft a Creamy Sauce

• Marinara sauce
• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Italian herbs

Pour the sauce into the skillet with the sausage and vegetables, stirring to combine.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Pasta Delight

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, sausage-vegetable mixture, and sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Bold Flavor in Sausage Pepper Pasta

• Master Sausage Browning: Ensure a deep golden color by cooking sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles for maximum flavor development.
• Vegetable Texture Trick: Slice peppers and onions uniformly to guarantee even cooking and prevent soggy or undercooked pieces.
• Sauce Smoothing Technique: Whisk heavy cream and cheese slowly to prevent clumping, creating a silky, luxurious sauce that coats every pasta strand.
• Pasta Cooking Precision: Boil pasta just shy of package instructions, as it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Sprinkle a mix of mozzarella and parmesan on top, allowing the cheese to create a golden, crispy crust during the final baking stage.

Store and Reheat Sausage Pasta Bake Easily

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Carefully transfer the pasta bake to a sealed container, ensuring it cools to room temperature first. Refrigerated portions will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap individual servings tightly in aluminum foil or freezer-safe containers. Pasta bakes freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated completely. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out and maintain the dish's delicious moisture.

What to Serve with Colorful Sausage Pasta Bake

• Unleash Wine Harmony: Pair this hearty pasta bake with a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the spicy Italian sausage and cuts through the rich sauce.
• Create Crisp Contrast: Serve a chilled Italian pilsner or pale ale to balance the dish's warmth, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the savory flavors.
• Add Fresh Salad Sidekick: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to introduce a zesty, peppery element that brightens the entire meal.
• Enhance Bread Companion: Serve crusty garlic bread or focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to each bite of the pasta bake.

Variations to Try with Sausage and Pepper Pasta

• Mediterranean Veggie Blast: Swap Italian sausage with crumbled feta cheese and add zucchini, eggplant, and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired pasta bake.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Replace Italian sausage with ground beef, incorporate black beans, corn, and jalapeños, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Lighter Chicken Version: Substitute Italian sausage with lean ground chicken or diced chicken breast, use whole wheat pasta, and add spinach for a healthier, protein-packed alternative.
• Vegetarian Garden Feast: Eliminate meat completely by using plant-based sausage or extra firm tofu, mix in roasted mushrooms, lentils, and a variety of colorful bell peppers for a robust vegetarian option.

Italian Sausage And Colorful Pepper Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sizzling Italian sausage meets sweet bell peppers in this hearty pasta bake, creating a Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish. Melted cheese, aromatic herbs, and perfectly al dente pasta invite you to savor a delicious journey through Italian cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Meat:

• 1 pound penne, cavatappi, or rotini pasta
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage or hot turkey sausage, casings removed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, ½-inch chop
• 1 yellow bell pepper, ½-inch chop
• 1 orange bell pepper, ½-inch chop
• 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spicy)

Seasonings, Liquids, and Cheese:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 15 ounces can fire roasted tomatoes with juices
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (granulated, cube, or base)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup half and half (or milk whisked with 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch)
• 6 ounces freshly grated mild Gouda (may substitute cheddar)
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning the rack in the center for even heating.
2. Boil water in a large pot, adding a generous pinch of salt. Cook the pasta until it reaches an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the Italian sausage from its casing and crumble into the pan, cooking until it turns golden brown and no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
4. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease, leaving a small amount of drippings in the skillet.
5. In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers (red, yellow, and green) and onions until they become tender and slightly caramelized, about 5-6 minutes.
6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add minced garlic, cooking for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
7. Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine with the vegetables and incorporating the browned sausage back into the mixture.
8. Season the sauce with dried oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper, allowing the flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes.
9. In a large baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, then pour the sausage and vegetable sauce over the top, ensuring even distribution.
10. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously across the surface.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
12. Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and make cutting easier.
13. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves and serve hot, accompanied by a side salad or garlic bread if desired.

Notes

• Elevate this dish by selecting high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor profiles for maximum taste impact.
• Choose bell peppers in multiple colors like red, yellow, and green to create a visually stunning and nutritionally diverse meal.
• Undercook pasta slightly during initial boiling to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
• Create a creamy sauce using a blend of cheese and milk for rich, velvety consistency that binds ingredients beautifully.
• Customize heat levels by selecting mild or spicy sausage based on personal preference and family taste expectations.
• Prepare this recipe ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 595 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg