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5 from 1 vote

Sausage Pepper Pasta Recipe

This rich and robust Sausage Pepper Pasta is so delicious. The sauce is memorable and very company-worthy. Make a gorgeous Caesar salad and serve with a loaf of bread for a complete meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 55 minutes
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Dinner, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: pasta, pasta and sausage, red peppers
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 914kcal
Author: Tara Noland

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Italian sausage mild or hot, or a mixture of both
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped yellow onions
  • 3 red peppers seeded and cut into medium julienne
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 2 - 28 oz cans Italian plum tomatoes including juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
  • Pinch of dried chili flakes optional
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 cup parsley chopped plus more for garnish
  • 6 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped
  • Parmesan cheese for topping
  • 2 lb. penne

Instructions

  • Prick the sausage links all over with a fork and place in a large Dutch oven with 1/2 inch of water.
  • Simmer over medium heat, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until the water is evaporated. Continue to cook the sausage, frying them in their own fat, turning them occasionally.
  • Allow them to cook for about 10 minutes or until well browned. Remove the sausages from the pan to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.
  • Pour the fat out of the pan, but don’t wash it out. Add the olive oil and onions to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, covered, until tender, 15 – 20 minutes, stirring often.
  • Add the water, wine, 2 cans of tomatoes with the juices, oregano, thyme, Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, and chili flakes, if using. Simmer partially covered for 30 minutes, adding more water if needed.
  • Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
  • After the sauce has simmered for 30 minutes, add the julienne red peppers, sausage slices, and fennel seeds to the pan. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • After simmering for 20 minutes, add the chopped parsley and minced garlic and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Cook the penne pasta according to the package. Serve the sauce over penne pasta with grated parmesan cheese. Garnish with parsley.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

See the post for more information, photos and tips. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 914kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 843mg | Potassium: 726mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1803IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 4mg