Italian Sausage and Peppers with Penne
Sautéed sausage, peppers and onions are mixed with traditional Italian sauce to make a flavorful topper for hot cooked pasta.
Sautéed sausage, peppers and onions are mixed with traditional Italian sauce to make a flavorful topper for hot cooked pasta.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 pounds sweet or hot italian pork sausage, cut into 1/2-
- 2 medium green pepperâ and/or red bell peppers, cut i
- 2 medium onion thickly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 cups prego® traditional italian sauce
- 4 cups cooked tube shaped pasta (ziti) or penne pasta, cooked and drained
- Carbohydrate 0.0598135556274058 g
- Cholesterol 1.22222222377957 mg
- Fat 1.52239777876654 g
- Fiber 0.000623333350817362 g
- Protein 0.534570000680631 g
- Saturated Fat 0.395647067039461 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (116g)
- Sodium 21.2600778048463 mg
- Sugar 0.0591902222765884 g
- Trans Fat 0.0549336000442292 g
- Calories 16 calories
Step-by-step
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage in 2 batches and cook until it’s well browned, stirring often. Remove the sausage from the skillet. Pour off any fat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining oil. Stir the peppers and onions in the skillet and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir the sauce in the skillet. Heat to a boil. Return the sausage to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve over the pasta and sprinkle with the cheese.
A Weeknight Italian Delight: Italian Sausage and Peppers with Penne
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a delicious and satisfying dinner can often feel like a Herculean task. Weeknights are a whirlwind of school pick-ups, homework battles, and the ever-present to-do list. But I’ve learned that even amidst the chaos, a simple, flavorful meal can be a comforting anchor. That’s where my go-to recipe, Italian Sausage and Peppers with Penne, comes in. It’s a dish that’s quick to prepare, bursting with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser, even for the pickiest eaters in my family.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It’s not about complex techniques or obscure ingredients. It’s about letting the quality of the ingredients shine. I usually opt for Italian pork sausage, but you can easily adjust to your preference, using spicy or sweet, whichever you fancy. The vibrant colors of the bell peppers—I love a mix of red and green—add a visual appeal that instantly brightens up the dinner table. The onions, sautéed to perfection, add a touch of sweetness that balances the savory sausage beautifully. And of course, no Italian dish is complete without a generous helping of rich, flavorful tomato sauce. I use a store-bought traditional Italian sauce, saving time and effort without compromising on taste.
The process is as straightforward as it gets. I start by browning the sausage in a large skillet, then set it aside while I sauté the peppers and onions. Once those are softened, I add the sauce, bring it to a simmer, and return the sausage to the skillet to combine all the flavors beautifully. The twenty-minute simmering time is perfect for catching up on emails or helping with homework – multi-tasking is key! The final touch is a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese over the hot pasta, creating a salty, cheesy counterpoint to the rich tomato sauce and savory sausage.
This dish is incredibly versatile. I often adjust the ingredients based on what’s in my pantry or what my family is craving. Sometimes I add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick, other times I throw in some mushrooms or zucchini for extra veggies. The beauty of this recipe is that it readily adapts to your preferences and what's available. The outcome is always a hearty, delicious, and satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul. The penne pasta provides a perfect vehicle for the flavorful sauce and sausage mixture – it's substantial enough to keep everyone satisfied without being overly heavy. It is a win-win recipe!
Beyond the ease of preparation, this Italian Sausage and Peppers with Penne is a great way to connect with my family around the dinner table. It’s a chance to share stories from our day, laugh together, and create lasting memories. In the midst of our busy lives, those moments of connection are truly invaluable. So, the next time you’re looking for a quick, delicious, and satisfying weeknight meal, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed. Trust me, even on the busiest of days, you deserve a delicious and comforting meal that brings joy to your family and warms your heart.
This recipe has become a staple in my household, and I'm confident it will become a favorite in yours too. The simple steps, the delicious flavors, and the ease of preparation make it a winner any night of the week. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own personal touch! Let me know how it turns out. Happy cooking!
