Italian Sausage Pasta with Peppers

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This Italian Sausage Peppers Pasta shows up big. It’s saucy, loaded with flavor, and comes together without turning your kitchen upside down. The sausage brings richness, the peppers add a little sweetness, and that marinara pulls it all together like it knows exactly what it’s doing. Simple ingredients, smart layering, done in no time.

 

Ingredient Notes

• Sweet Italian sausage – brings rich flavor and a little fennel spice. You can swap for hot sausage if you like a kick.
• Parmesan cheese – salty finish that ties everything together.
• Bell peppers (green + yellow) – adds sweetness and color. Red works too if that’s what you have.
• Onion + garlic – builds the base.
• Marinara sauce – use one you like. It carries the whole dish.
• Dried oregano + basil – adds that classic Italian flavor without extra effort.
• Broccoli florets (optional) – sneaks in a little green. Totally optional, but a solid add.

How to Make Sausage Peppers Pasta

This is a straight-forward, one-skillet situation with pasta on the side. Nothing complicated, just good cooking. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, see the printable recipe card down below. Here is a quick overview:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain (I prefer using a colander to drain pasta so I don’t lose any into the sink) and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, break apart the sausage. Add onion and garlic. Cook until browned and fragrant.

Step 3: Add the Peppers

Stir in bell peppers and cook for a couple minutes until slightly softened.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Pour in marinara, water, and spices. Stir. Add broccoli if using. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Toss + Serve

Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together. Finish with parmesan and serve hot.

Tips for Success

• Let everything simmer long enough to blend flavors, about 10 minutes does it
• Salt your pasta water well, it makes a difference
• Don’t overcook the peppers, a little bite is perfect
• Use a good marinara, it’s the backbone of the sauce
• Save a splash of pasta water if you want to loosen the sauce

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start, grab these so everything runs smoothly:

• Large skillet – you need space to brown sausage and build the sauce properly.
• Large Pot- I like this size because you can easily cook a pound of pasta without fearing it will boil over!
• Wooden spoon or spatula – helps break up sausage and stir everything together.
• Colander – quick, easy draining.

What to Serve with Sausage Peppers Pasta

• Garlic bread – perfect for soaking up extra sauce
• Simple green salad – balances the richness
• Caesar salad – classic pairing with bold flavors
• Roasted vegetables – adds texture and variety
• Caprese salad – fresh and light next to the pasta

Storage + Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or extra marinara to loosen the sauce.

You can freeze it, but the pasta texture softens slightly after thawing. For best results, freeze just the sauce and add fresh pasta when serving.

To make ahead, prep the sauce a day in advance, then cook fresh pasta and toss before serving.

Variations for Italian Sausage Peppers Pasta

• Swap sweet sausage for hot Italian sausage for extra spice
• Use penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti depending on what you have
• Add mushrooms for more depth
• Skip broccoli or swap with spinach
• Stir in a splash of cream for a richer sauce

FAQ

More Pasta Recipes to Try!

• Creamy Sausage & Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
• Spicy Sausage Brown Butter Alfredo Pasta
• Smoked Sausage Pasta
• Sausage Cacciatore
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Italian Sausage Alfredo

This sausage peppers pasta is bold, simple, and worth putting on repeat. It’s the kind of dinner that works any night of the week. The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends!

Italian Sausage Peppers Pasta

Katie Cooksey

Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta is an easy weeknight meal that is laced with peppers, broccoli, garlic, Italian Sausage, and marinara!

5 from 18 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 709 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 lb. pasta
• 1 lb. Sweet Italian Sausage
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 green bell pepper diced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper diced
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets optional
• Parmesan cheese for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente and drain. Set aside.
• While pasta is cooking, break apart Italian Sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in onion and garlic. Stir. Once Sausage is completely browned, add in bell peppers. Cook another 2 minutes to soften slightly.
• Pour in marinara sauce, water and spices. Add in broccoli, if desired. Stir and simmer covered for about 10 minutes, OR until broccoli is cooked to your liking.
• Toss with cooked pasta and top with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of water or marinara to loosen the sauce.

Freeze up to 2 months, though pasta may soften slightly. For best texture, freeze the sauce separately and add fresh pasta when serving.

Make ahead by preparing the sauce up to 1 day in advance. Cook pasta fresh and toss before serving.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 709kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 27gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1394mgPotassium: 1046mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 825IUVitamin C: 69.1mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 4.1mg

Keyword Sausage Peppers Pasta

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