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Sweet Pepper and Italian Sausage Skillet Pasta

Close-up of a pan filled with sweet pepper and sausage pasta, featuring penne pasta, sliced red peppers, and crumbled sausage in a rich sauce.
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A quick and easy 30-minute skillet pasta featuring sweet bell peppers and Italian sausage in a glossy, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 large sweet bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the skillet.
  2. Add sliced bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in red pepper flakes (if using) and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce is slightly thickened.
  6. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss to coat everything in the sauce.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • For a creamier sauce, you can add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream.
  • If you don’t have penne, other short pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle work well.
  • Ensure you reserve some pasta water before draining your pasta; you can add a splash to the sauce if it seems too thick.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/sweet-pepper-sausage-pasta/