This Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe combines leftover Italian sausage, bell peppers and onions with pasta for a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. A delicious dinner the whole family will love!
Jump to:
Italian sausage and peppers pasta skillet is my favorite way to use up leftover sausage and peppers. We even make extra Italian sausages just so we can make this easy pasta recipe the next day!
I usually make air fryer sausage and peppers for sandwiches the first night. You can also make Instant Pot sausage and peppers or cook the sausages on the stove or grill.
I have included directions for cooking Italian sausage, peppers and onions from scratch in the recipe card in case you don't have leftovers.
But if you're looking for a recipe with leftover cooked sausages, this one's for you! It's a great recipe for an easy weeknight meal, especially during the school year.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this Italian sausage and pepper pasta recipe. You can find them in your grocery store or online.
- Pasta
- Olive oil
- Italian sausages -- cooked
- Onions -- white or yellow onion
- Bell peppers -- any color is fine
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh basil -- optional, but adds freshness
- Parmesan cheese -- optional, but goes so well with this dish
I don't add a lot of seasoning to this dish because it has plenty of flavor from the main ingredients.
How to Make Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta
First, cook your favorite pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Or, cook pasta in the Instant Pot!
Save about a cup of pasta water to add to the pasta dish if needed.
Though penne pasta, farfalle pasta, and any short cut pasta will work, I used rotini pasta this time.
Next, slice the cooked sausage links into small pieces. I usually aim for sausage slices about half inch thick.
Then, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat on the stove.
Add the sausages and the peppers and onions mixture to the large skillet.
Stir the sausage mixture, and cook until heated through. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet.
Stir the sausages and pasta together until well combined. Then, drizzle in more olive oil, and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste.
If the pasta seems dry, add a little of the pasta water to the skillet. Or, add a little bit more olive oil.
Cook Time
The cooking time for this sausage pepper pasta recipe is about 15 minutes. This includes cooking the pasta and heating up the sausages. Plus, you'll have a little bit of prep time.
If you're not using leftover sausages, the cooking time will be longer.
Top this pasta dish off with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for extra flavor. You can add some red pepper flakes for extra heat if you like!
What to Serve with the Pasta
This Italian sausage pasta is basically a one pot meal. But, you can round it out with crusty bread and a simple side salad or steamed broccoli or green beans. You can browse my side dishes archives for more sides that go with pasta.
Variations
I'm the type of person who does not like tomatoes in my sausage and peppers recipe. But, you can stir in a jar of your favorite tomato sauce or marinara sauce or a little tomato paste if you like. Diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes would work, too.
If you want more vegetables in this dish, spinach or kale make the perfect addition. Just mix the leafy greens into the skillet after the pasta is added. Broccoli florets will also work!
For a creamier dish, add some heavy cream or cream cheese after you add the pasta into the skillet.
Use your favorite Italian sausage. Whether it is sweet Italian sausage, spicy Italian sausage, savory sausage or mild sausage, it'll work. If you do not like pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage will work just as fine.
I prefer using orange bell peppers, yellow bell peppers and red bell peppers, but you can toss some green bell peppers in if you like those.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the fridge or covered with plastic wrap.
It'll last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
Reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stove for best results.
Recipe
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 3 Italian sausages cooked
- ½ cup onions cooked
- 1 cup bell peppers cooked
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- fresh basil and Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain, saving 1 cup of water, and set aside
- Slice sausages into ½ inch rounds
- Heat a large non stick skillet on the stove, and add 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add sausage slices, peppers and onions, and cook until heated through
- Stir in cooked pasta, and add remaining olive oil. Add more if needed or a little of reserved pasta water if needed
- Season with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste
- Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired. Serve immediately
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
This recipe is a great way to use up any leftovers in your fridge. Plus, it comes together in just a few simple steps.
I hope you enjoy this easy dinner as much as we do. Please leave a star rating and comment!
For more pasta recipes, easy dinner ideas and creative ways to use leftovers, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media.
Amanda says
This was a fantastic dinner for the week!
Catalina says
This pasta is so rich and flavorful. Will be our new favorite for sure!
Patti says
I loved this! Adding on our weeknight rotation, yum!
Allyson Reed Zea says
This was perfect for our BBQ! Thanks!
Sandra says
This is my family's new favorite dinner! So good!
Dee says
Thank you so much. Glad you liked it!