Krolls Korner - 1 sausage and spaghetti in a white bowl - 2

Mmm, Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta! Hello weeknight wonder! ?

Noodles and sauce deserve an upgrade, and this weeknight dinner delivers.

The crushed tomatoes provide tons of bright flavor and the sauce is enhanced by the fennel and Italian seasoning.

Contrary to popular belief, marinara sauces don’t always need to simmer for hours on end! This meal comes together in 30 minutes yet is still infused with fresh flavors.

I’m kind of a sucker for a good pasta dish. But I mean, aren’t we all?! Let me introduce you to this Skillet Lasagna Recipe, Ravioli Lasagna , Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Orzo , and Chicken Baked Ziti if you need more pasta dishes to fall in love with!

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We’ve made this sausage and peppers pasta three times in the last 2 weeks and clearly can’t get enough of it. With cooler weather approaching, cozying up with a bowl of warm pasta is the comfort I crave.

Ingredient Notes

You can scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

  • Sausage: I used an Italian Chicken Sausage and sliced into rounds. More specifically I used the Italian Chicken Sausage from Aidells. You can use your favorite sausage, either mild or hot and slice it or use ground up pieces.
  • Bell Peppers: I love using a combination of colors: I chose yellow, red and orange but you can use any combination of colors you prefer.
  • Crushed tomatoes: You’ll need a large 28 oz. can. This is used to make the simple, yet super flavorful red sauce.
  • Onion: choose an onion that cooks down well, like a yellow or white onion.
  • Pasta: We love this over spaghetti noodles, but feel free to choose any pasta you love! I think short shaped pasta such as ziti or penne would work really well with this dish too.
  • Spices: garlic, fennel, red pepper chili flakes, salt, pepper & Italian seasoning. Add any extra herbs or spices if desired.
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Step by Step Directions

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe instructions.

  1. Cook onions in a large skillet with olive oil.
  2. Add the bell pepper and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic, fennel and other seasonings. Stir to combine.
  4. Push to one side of the skillet. Add the sausage and olive oil and cook.
  5. Stir together cooked sausage and bell pepper and onion mixture. Add in crushed tomatoes.
  6. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Serve over spaghetti. Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.
Step by step photos making sausage and peppers - 5

Tips and Variations

  • Use hot, mild or sweet Italian sausage. Slice into rounds, or use a ground sausage.
  • Change up the pasta! Penne, shells, bowtie, ziti, linguine, etc.
  • Bulk up the red sauce by adding diced tomatoes too.
  • Make it creamy by adding in a bit of heavy cream.
  • Use more veggies if you prefer. Add in mushrooms, spinach, broccoli or zucchini when cooking the bell peppers.
  • Add garnishes! When plating, serve with Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, red pepper chili flakes, fresh parsley, etc.
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More Recipes You Will Love

Sausage, Peppers, and Rice Skillet

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Chicken Fajita Pasta (One Pot)

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake with Broccoli

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Italian Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 bell peppers, chopped - multicolors (red, yellow, orange)
  • 2 tsp. garlic, crushed (~3-4 cloves)
  • 1 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional)
  • 1, 12 oz. package Italian chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1, 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • Cooked Spaghetti
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Instructions

  • Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions; cook, stirring occasionally for ~5 minutes. 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided, 1 small white or yellow onion, chopped
  • Add the chopped bell peppers and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3 bell peppers, chopped - multicolors (red, yellow, orange)
  • Add the garlic, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper chili flakes if desired. Stir until fragrant, ~1 minute. 2 tsp. garlic, crushed (~3-4 cloves), 1 tsp. fennel seeds, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste, 1/2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes (optional)
  • Push the onions and bell peppers to one side of the skillet to make room for the sausage.
  • Add the sliced chicken sausage rounds and remaining olive oil and cook for ~5 minutes until sausage browns on each side. 1, 12 oz. package Italian chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
  • Stir together cooked sausage and bell pepper and onion mixture. Add in crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil; then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste, and adjust salt and pepper if needed. 1, 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • Serve over cooked spaghetti pasta (or pasta of choice). Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired. Cooked Spaghetti

Video

Notes

  • Feel free to use sweet, spicy or mild sausage.
  • Use pasta of choice, we love it with spaghetti!
  • This meal is an all in one (carbohydrate, veggie and protein) but pairs well with a dinner salad too.

Nutrition