Sizzling Sweet Pepper and Sausage Pasta Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a delightful sweet pepper and sausage pasta becomes an exciting culinary adventure for home cooks seeking bold flavors.

Vibrant bell peppers dance alongside savory sausage, creating a mouth-watering combination that surprises taste buds.

Our simple yet sophisticated recipe promises a quick weeknight meal packed with robust ingredients.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully selected component of this hearty dish.

Fragrant herbs and perfectly cooked pasta create a symphony of textures that feel both comforting and elegant.

Spices weave magic into every bite, promising a memorable dining experience.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible pasta that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Best Pairings With Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Savor Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich sausage and sweet caramelized peppers, balancing the dish's robust flavors.
• Craft Beer Match: Choose a crisp amber ale or hoppy IPA to cut through the pasta's richness, enhancing the caramelized pepper and sausage notes with its refreshing carbonation.
• Herb-Infused Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top to brighten the dish, adding a fresh layer of aromatic complexity that lifts the deep, caramelized undertones.
• Side Salad Boost: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty contrast, cutting through the pasta's richness and cleansing the palate between bites.

Storing Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta Safely

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring freshness and food safety.

Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor quality.

Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to restore moisture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and distribute heat evenly.

Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Add a few tablespoons of water. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even plant-based sausage for variety.

• How do I prevent the peppers from burning while caramelizing?

Stir frequently and keep the heat at medium, adding a splash of water if they start to dry out or stick to the pan.

• What if I don't have balsamic vinegar?

Use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as a substitute to add similar tangy depth to the dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends on the sausage you choose. Mild sausage will keep the dish less spicy, while hot Italian sausage will add more kick.

Reasons to Enjoy Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: Dive into a dish bursting with rich, caramelized sausage and sweet peppers that create an explosion of mouthwatering taste in every bite.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Streamline your cooking process with this smart recipe that minimizes dishes while maximizing deliciousness, perfect for busy home cooks seeking convenience.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping sausage types, experimenting with different peppers, or adding personal touches like extra herbs to make it uniquely yours.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality meal that's simple to prepare yet looks and tastes sophisticated enough for special gatherings.

Ingredients Needed in Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Sausage: A flavorful protein that adds richness and depth to the pasta dish.

• Sweet Peppers, Onions: Sweet and caramelized vegetables that provide a rich, jammy base for the sauce.
• Garlic: A classic aromatic that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Tomato Paste: A concentrated ingredient that adds depth and helps caramelize the sausage and vegetables.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Oregano: A classic herb that brings an earthy, Mediterranean flavor to the dish.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Provides a tangy complexity to balance the sweetness.
• Kosher Salt: Helps to season and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

• Pasta: The base of the dish that absorbs the flavorful sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and adding a smooth texture.
• Breadcrumbs: An optional crunchy topping for added texture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sausage and cook until it develops a rich, golden-brown color and is fully cooked.

Stir in tomato paste and let it caramelize for a couple of minutes, creating deep flavor. Move the sausage to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Transform Peppers and Onions

• Onions
• Bell peppers

Cook the vegetables slowly, stirring frequently, until they become soft and develop a sweet, caramelized exterior.

• Remaining tomato paste
• Garlic
• Brown sugar
• Oregano
• Balsamic vinegar

Sprinkle kosher salt and continue cooking until the mixture becomes thick and jammy. If the vegetables look dry, splash in some water and let it simmer gently.

Step 3: Prepare the Pasta

Boil water and cook pasta, removing it from the water one minute before the package instructions suggest. Capture a half cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 4: Create the Final Dish

Return the sausage to the skillet with the pepper mixture. Add the cooked pasta and pour in the reserved pasta water.

Stir and toss for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and clings to the pasta. Adjust with more pasta water if needed for a silky, luxurious coating.

Serve hot, optionally topped with toasted breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

Helpful Suggestions to Perfect Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Opt for high-quality Italian sausage with robust herbs for deeper, more complex taste profiles in your pasta dish.
• Stir vegetables frequently and adjust heat to medium-low to ensure even caramelization without scorching.
• Always reserve pasta water as it contains starchy goodness that helps create a smooth, clingy sauce with perfect consistency.
• Allow peppers and onions to develop rich, sweet caramelization by cooking slowly and patiently for maximum flavor development.
• Use balsamic vinegar sparingly to enhance dish complexity without overwhelming other delicate ingredient notes.

Flavorful Twists on Sweet Pepper Sausage Pasta

• Spicy Chorizo Fusion: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo for a bold, zesty flavor profile that adds extra heat and complexity to the dish.
• Mediterranean Veggie Remix: Swap sausage for chickpeas and add roasted eggplant, zucchini, and kalamata olives to create a vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Creamy Goat Cheese Edition: Stir in crumbled goat cheese at the end for a tangy, rich finish that transforms the pasta's texture and adds a luxurious touch.
• Smoky Bacon Upgrade: Substitute sausage with crispy bacon pieces and add a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a deep, smoky undertone that elevates the entire dish.

Sweet Pepper And Sausage Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sausage and sweet pepper pasta delivers a symphony of Italian-inspired flavors that dance across your palate. Rich Italian sausage mingles with colorful peppers, creating a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 0.5 pound (226 grams) mild or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed

Vegetables:

• 0.5 sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 2 medium red or yellow bell peppers, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Pasta and Seasonings:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) dry short-cut pasta (rigatoni, penne, or fusilli)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1.5 teaspoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
• Toasted breadcrumbs (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the sausage until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Incorporate tomato paste and caramelize for 1-2 minutes, creating deep flavor complexity. Remove sausage and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, drizzle olive oil and introduce onions and bell peppers. Slowly transform vegetables over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring consistently until they soften and develop rich caramel notes. Fold in tomato paste, minced garlic, brown sugar, oregano, and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle kosher salt and continue cooking until mixture becomes luxuriously jammy. Add water if vegetables appear dry.
3. Simultaneously, immerse pasta in heavily salted boiling water, cooking approximately 1 minute less than package recommendations. Carefully extract 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
4. Reunite pasta and sausage within the pepper-laden skillet. Stream reserved pasta water, gently tossing for 2-3 minutes until sauce achieves silky consistency and thoroughly embraces pasta strands. Adjust liquid as needed for optimal texture. Garnish with toasted breadcrumbs if desired, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Choose sausage with robust flavors like spicy Italian or chorizo to enhance the overall dish’s taste profile.
• Slice bell peppers and onions uniformly for consistent caramelization and even cooking throughout the skillet.
• Keep pasta water starchy and salty, acting as a crucial emulsifier to create a silky, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.
• For vegetarian adaptation, swap sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tempeh or mushroom-based sausage substitutes to maintain similar texture and depth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 564 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg