This Pasta with Peppers, Onion, and Sausage is a hearty Italian-inspired dish with savory sausage, sweet peppers and onions, and a rich tomato sauce tossed with penne. Comforting, easy, and family-approved.
Table of Contents
Rustic Italian Pasta with Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
I LOVE sausage and peppers! I grew up in New England, where amazing “mom & pop” Italian restaurants were on every corner. My favorite item to order at Italian restaurants is always Sausage and Peppers—whether served on a grinder or over pasta.
Since moving away from New England, I have a newfound appreciation for the fantastic Italian food found there. In all of the places I’ve lived in since Connecticut (Utah, New Mexico, South Korea, Virginia, Arizona, California, and Japan), nothing compares.
This pasta with sausage, peppers, onion, and sausage recipe is my attempt at a “quick and easy” version of the classic. I love it, and it hits to spot when my Sausage and Peppers craving kicks in. It’s also one of my go-to meals when we expect company, and I need a quick and easy dinner recipe.
The sausage brings richness, the peppers and onions add sweetness, and the tomato sauce ties everything together into a glossy coating for tender penne pasta. It is a weeknight dinner that feels cozy but also works beautifully as a family-style dish for gatherings. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of sauce, and you have a meal worth lingering over.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $3.80
Recipe Cost: $25.32
Here’s everything you need to make this sausage and peppers pasta, including simple substitutions.
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil – You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or butter.
- 3 large garlic cloves – Adds a savory flavor to the dish.
- 1 ½ pounds Italian sausage – The seasoned protein is the star of the dish with its Italian herbs and spices. You can use sweet, milk, or hot Italian sausage.
- 2 large green bell peppers – Gives a sweet crunch to the dish. Red, yellow, or orange peppers will give a similar taste.
- 1 large yellow onion – This adds another level of sweetness. You can use white onions, but they are not as sweet as yellow onions.
- 14 ½ ounce can of tomato sauce – This is the base of the dish. Crushed tomatoes will work as a substitute.
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes – Adds a fresh burst of sweetness. Use grape tomatoes as an alternative.
- Dried basil (1 tablespoon) and dried oregano (1 teaspoon): Classic Italian seasoning that gives the sauce warmth and herby depth.
- Fennel seeds (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sausage flavor with its subtle anise note. If you don’t have fennel, you can just omit it.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Rounds out the flavors.
- 16 ounces penne pasta – Hearty pasta that soaks up the sauce. Use ziti, rigatoni, or another short pasta.
- For serving (all optional): Shredded mozzarella (for melty goodness), grated Parmesan (for salty nuttiness), and fresh basil (for a pop of freshness).
How To Make Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Cook the sausage until browned, sauté the garlic, peppers, and onions, then simmer everything with tomato sauce, tomatoes, and spices. Toss with penne pasta, sprinkle on cheese and basil, and serve warm.
Let me show you how:
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or pan over medium heat.
- Add sausage and cook until browned, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and sauté until golden, about 1 minute.
- Add the peppers and onion. Cook until softened, about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano, and fennel seeds. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes, then uncover and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Toss the sausage and peppers mixture with the cooked pasta until evenly coated. Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil before serving.
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Pasta with Pepper, Onion, and Sausage
Video
Equipment
- large braiser OR large, deep covered pan
- pasta pot
- cutting board
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ pound Italian sausage cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large green bell peppers cut into strips
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 14 ½ ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved lengthwise
- 1 Tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 16 ounces penne pasta cooked as per package direction
FOR SERVING:
- Shredded Mozzarella
- Grated Parmesan
- Freshly chopped basil
Instructions
MAKE SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS:
- Heat oil in a large, deep skillet or pan over medium heat.
- Add the sausage and cook, occasionally stirring, until brown, about 8 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Add the peppers and onion and cook until tender, occasionally stirring about 4-6 minutes.
- Once the peppers and onions are just tender, add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and fennel seeds to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes, and then uncover and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
TO FINISH:
- Pour the sausage, peppers, and tomato mixture over the cooked penne pasta.
- Top with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil, and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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Recipe FAQs
First, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, add the peppers and onion and cook until tender. Stir occasionally. This process will take about four to six minutes.
If you do not have oil, you can use water instead. The outcome will vary slightly without oil but will work in a pinch.
Absolutely! Bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin C. They make a healthy addition to this pasta dish.
You can use mild, spicy, or sweet Italian sausage. You can also use chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option.
If you need to use fresh instead of dried herbs, use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs. Dried herbs are more concentrated, so you need more when using fresh herbs.
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such a good Sunday dinner and the leftovers are even better the next day for lunch!
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was amazing. My whole family loved it and I’ll definitely be making it again!
Such a great weeknight meal! Love this combination of ingredients. Thanks for the recipe!
Easy pasta for a weeknday. I had this for lunch today and was super quick and delish!
Insanely delicious and the price point can’t be beat! Thank you for sharing!
Like many people, I have a genetically-wired aversion to certain green vegetables that makes them taste bitter, so I’m not a fan of green peppers. However, we made this with red sweet peppers, and it was super-tasty. Great budget meal, and really easy to make, too!
This was a delicious meal, even my picky eater ate it 🙂
Sausage and peppers go perfectly in pasta! The best part is you can use any kind of pasta you want!