Description
Sausage and Pepper Pasta Delight brings Italian-inspired comfort to your dinner table with hearty sausage, colorful bell peppers, and perfectly al dente pasta. Rich flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal that promises warmth and deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 400 g (1 lb) Italian sausage, casings removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
Pasta and Other Ingredients:
- 250 g (8.8 oz) pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 200 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 30 g (⅓ cup) grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted large pot of water (about 4 quarts) and cook pasta according to package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Carefully extract and reserve of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high temperature. Crumble and brown sausage pieces for 4-5 minutes, breaking them into smaller fragments using a wooden spoon.
- Introduce diced onions and sliced bell peppers into the sausage-filled pan. Sauté for approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring periodically until vegetables soften and develop slight caramelization.
- Incorporate minced garlic, red chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow ingredients to mingle and release aromatic flavors for 60-90 seconds.
- Blend tomato paste thoroughly into the mixture, then gradually pour chicken stock and crushed tomatoes. Stir components to create a cohesive sauce and reduce heat to low-medium. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Finish the dish by folding in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal preference. Serve immediately, with optional additional Parmesan sprinkled on top for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal that combines hearty sausage, colorful bell peppers, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce.
- Versatile Dish allows you to swap Italian sausage with chicken sausage or use different colored bell peppers for a personalized touch.
- Reserved Pasta Water is a pro cooking hack that helps create a silky, well-coated sauce by adding starchy liquid to thin or bind the sauce.
- One-Pan Wonder saves time on cleanup and allows flavors to develop deeply by cooking everything in the same skillet.
- Customize Heat Level by adjusting red chili flakes to suit your spice preference, making it friendly for all taste buds.
- Fresh Parmesan Cheese adds a luxurious, salty finish that elevates the entire dish’s complexity and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg