Description
A hearty and flavorful Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta dish combining sweet Italian sausages, vibrant bell peppers, and ziti pasta in a savory tomato-balsamic sauce. This easy 30-minute meal offers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and pasta for a comforting weeknight dinner bursting with classic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces sweet Italian sausages (casings removed)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 4 large cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 3 medium-sized bell peppers (any color, sliced into 2-inch-long pieces)
- 1 cup chopped onion
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 18 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the removed casings and crumble the sweet Italian sausages into the pan along with dried oregano and red pepper flakes. Break up the sausage as it cooks, stirring occasionally until browned.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add chopped garlic, sliced bell peppers, and chopped onion to the pan with the sausage. Stir and cook together until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the balsamic vinegar, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan to add depth of flavor. Add crushed tomatoes and kosher salt, stir to combine, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let cook for about 5 minutes to meld flavors and cook the sausage and peppers through.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the pan with the sauce and stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for freshness and serve hot.
Notes
- This recipe is a twist on traditional sausage and peppers by adding pasta and a simple tomato-balsamic sauce to create a complete meal.
- The balsamic vinegar adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce enhancing the sausage and pepper flavors.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- The recipe is quick and perfect for busy weeknight dinners, ready in just 30 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 13.8 g
- Sodium: 1043.1 mg
- Fat: 12.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65.1 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 24.8 g
- Cholesterol: 25.5 mg
