Description
Sweet Pepper & Sausage Pasta is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that will warm your heart. This comforting dish features savory Italian sausage combined with sweet, caramelized bell peppers and a hint of balsamic vinegar, creating a delightful medley of flavors. With its one-pan preparation, this recipe not only minimizes cleanup but also maximizes taste, making it a family favorite for casual gatherings or busy evenings. Enjoy the simplicity of this hearty pasta dish that showcases fresh ingredients and satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 medium bell peppers (red or yellow), sliced
- ½ sweet onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 8 oz dry short-cut pasta (like rigatoni)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1½ tsp light brown sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage until cooked through. Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook until caramelized. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and sauté onions and bell peppers for 15-20 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the remaining tomato paste, garlic, sugar, oregano, balsamic vinegar, and season with salt. Cook until jammy.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Combine the drained pasta with the sausage and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Add reserved pasta water to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with toasted breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 60mg