Sausage & Bell Pepper Penne (Print-Friendly Version)

Penne with Italian sausage, bell peppers, and savory tomato sauce. Ideal for flavorful weeknight meals.

# What You’ll Need to Make This:

→ Pasta

01 - 225 g penne pasta

→ Meat

02 - 450 g Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small onion, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

07 - 400 g crushed tomatoes
08 - 60 ml pasta cooking water, reserved

→ Seasoning and Garnish

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - Salt, to taste
11 - Black pepper, to taste
12 - Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
13 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# How to Prepare:

01 - Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, add the penne pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions, typically 10-12 minutes. Just before draining, reserve 60 ml of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces. Cook for 6-8 minutes, occasionally stirring, until fully browned and cooked through. Remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving a small amount of fat in the skillet.
03 - In the same skillet, add sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with diced onion. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender and the onion turns translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding browning.
04 - Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Add crushed tomatoes and gently mix to combine. Pour in reserved pasta water gradually, stirring to achieve your preferred sauce consistency. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, allowing flavors to blend. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 - Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly with the sausage and bell pepper sauce until evenly coated. Allow to cook together for 1-2 minutes to absorb flavors.
06 - Divide among serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Finish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce adhere better and enhance its texture.
02 - Do not overcook the bell peppers to maintain a pleasant crispness.

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