Hearty Sweet Pepper Beef Sausage Pasta Delight (Print Version)

Sweet Pepper Beef Sausage Pasta Delight is a comforting weeknight meal. Tender pasta, rich sausage, and sweet peppers make this a family favorite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 5 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb mild Italian beef sausage
02 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 1 large onion, chopped
04 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 (28 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
06 - 1 cup chicken broth

→ Fresh Additions

07 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), chopped
08 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

→ Finishing Touches

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get a big pot of salted water going for your pasta. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later. While that's heating up, grab your largest skillet or Dutch oven. Drizzle in a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your beef sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. You want it nicely browned and crumbly, no pink bits left! This is where all that flavor develops, so don't rush it. Once it's done, scoop it out, leaving a little of that glorious fat in the pan. My kitchen always smells so good at this point, honestly!
02 - Into that same pan, toss in your chopped onions and bell peppers. Turn the heat down a tad, to medium. Sauté them until they start to soften and get a little color, about 5-7 minutes. I love watching the peppers turn vibrant; it means flavor is building! Then, add your minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Don't let the garlic burn; that's an oops moment you want to avoid, trust me, I've been there and it makes everything bitter. Keep things moving in the pan.
03 - Now for the saucy magic! Pour in your diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's pure gold, flavor-wise! Stir in your cooked sausage. Let it all bubble gently for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. This is where the Sweet Pepper Beef Sausage Pasta Delight truly starts to come alive. You’ll smell the sweetness of the peppers and the richness of the sausage mingling.
04 - By now, your pasta water should be boiling. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions, aiming for al dente. This means it should have a slight bite to it, not mushy! I always taste a piece around the 8-minute mark. This is where I always forget to salt the water enough, so learn from my mistakes – be generous with the salt! Reserve about a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining; it’s a lifesaver for adjusting sauce consistency later.
05 - Drain your pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sauce. Give it a good toss to coat every single piece of pasta. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. This step is a bit messy, but in a good way, you know? Sometimes I get sauce on the counter, but it’s all part of the home cooking charm!
06 - Once everything is beautifully combined, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in a generous handful of fresh basil, torn or roughly chopped. Serve immediately, topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This Sweet Pepper Beef Sausage Pasta Delight should look vibrant, smell incredible, and taste like a comforting hug in a bowl. Enjoy your creation, you've earned it!

# Notes:

01 - Always salt your pasta water generously; it makes a huge difference in the final flavor, trust me!
02 - This dish holds up beautifully for meal prep; just make sure to cool it completely before storing.
03 - If you're out of fresh basil, a sprinkle of dried oregano can work in a pinch, though fresh is always best!
04 - Serve with a generous grating of fresh Parmesan and a side of crusty garlic bread for the full experience.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - large pot for pasta
03 - cutting board
04 - knife

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 600 kcal
Total Fat: 35 g
Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
Protein: 35 g

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