Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta (such as penne, shells, or bow tie)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Italian sausages (mild or hot, sliced into bite size pieces)
- 3 medium bell peppers (different colors, diced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 28 ounce diced tomatoes (1 can)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be added later.
- Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced Italian sausages and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides. Once browned, transfer the sausage pieces to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and the peppers begin to tenderize.
- Simmer the sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and the browned sausages back into the skillet. Stir everything together, then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Finish the dish: Toss the cooked and drained pasta into the skillet with the sausage and pepper sauce. Mix well to ensure the pasta is fully coated. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving warm.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you like, such as penne, shells, or bow tie.
- For a spicier dish, opt for hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- Fresh parsley is recommended for garnish but optional.
- Parmesan cheese adds a rich, salty flavor and can be omitted for a lighter meal.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten free pasta.
- Adjust salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
