Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta is the perfect recipe for any sausage and peppers fan! Made with Italian sausage and sliced bell peppers, this simple and delicious recipe is perfect for busy weeknights but tasty enough for special occasions too!
Get all of those classic sausage and peppers flavor you love in an easy to make pasta bake that’s full of flavor! This Sausage and Peppers Pasta Bake is one Italian recipe you don’t want to miss.
If you love baked pastas, be sure to try my Authentic Mostaccioli Recipe or this Baked Spaghetti with Ricotta. For another way to serve Italian sausage, try my Italian Stuffed Peppers Skillet or Italian Sausage and Lentils.
Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe
Classic Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta is a delicious and flavorful recipe that comes together quick and is sure to be one of your favorite baked pasta recipes!
This dish combines all of those sausage and peppers flavors with pasta to make the most delicious and simple recipe ever. Add a bit of cheese to give this comfort food vibes that everyone will love.
Sausage and Peppers is a classic Italian dish (more Italian-American) that combines sweet Italian sausage and perfectly cooked bell peppers and onions. The combination is typically eaten on a hoagie roll, but is also served on its own.
This is a great way to get those sausage and peppers flavors you love and feed a crowd. I love to have this recipe on hand for entertaining and weeknight dinner because it comes together fast and is always a favorite.
So, if you love classic Italian sausage and pepper, give this pasta bake a try. You’re going to love it!
Ingredients
- Italian Sausage: use either mild Italian sausage or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preferences. Other sausages could also be used like turkey sausage or chicken sausage.
- Bell Peppers: you’ll need two bell peppers. I like to use red, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Green peppers work but don’t have as much flavor.
- Onions: use a sliced yellow onion or white onion.
- Pasta: penne pasta is what i use but you can use any tube-shaped pasta.
- Tomatoes: canned crusted tomatoes or diced tomatoes work.
- Garlic: you’ll need four cloves of minced garlic, which is about a tablespoon.
- Cheese: use both shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
- Seasonings: black pepper and kosher salt is all you need. You can add extra flavoring with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil.
How to Make Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta Bake
Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta Bake has all of those flavors you love in a comforting and delicious casserole. This dish comes together fast and is great for a weeknight dinner or entertaining.
To start, you’ll need to preheat your oven. Bake this in a large 9 x 13 inch baking dish or casserole dish. Cook the pasta in a large pot of water that has been salted until the pasta is just al dente; set aside.
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
In a large dutch oven or very large skillet, cook the diced sausage over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, just until the sausage starts to get golden brown. No need to cook it through entirely at this point.
Step 2: Add in the Peppers and Onions
To the sausage mixture, add in the sliced bell peppers and onion. (Add a splash of olive oil if needed.) Continue cooking, over medium heat, until the veggies start to soften, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally.
Then, add in the seasonings and canned tomato sauce. Cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the sausage is cooked through.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients and Bake
Pour the al dente pasta along with the half of the cheese into the pot and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and top with remaining cheese.
Bake until the pasta is warmed through and hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let sit for five minutes, then serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up three days. This makes delicious leftovers and tastes just as good the next day!
Recipe Tips
Tips for making delicious Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta:
- Use High-Quality Sausage: Choose flavorful Italian sausage (mild or spicy) and brown it well. Don’t drain the oil from the pan before adding in the peppers.
- Use Red Bell Pepper instead of Green Bell Peppers: red, orange, and yellow bell peppers have a sweeter flavor and work well in this dish.
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Boil the pasta until it’s slightly firm, as it will continue cooking in the oven and absorb the sauce without becoming mushy.
- Add Cheese for a Perfect Bake: Use a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan for creaminess and a crispy golden top, mixing in some cheese with the pasta.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: Allow the baked pasta to sit for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven so the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
More Italian Pasta Recipes
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Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta
Equipment
- 9 x 13 inch baking dish or casserole dish
- large nonstick skillet or dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Italian sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced into ¼ inch slices (red, orange, or yellow peppers)
- 1 large onion, sliced into ¼ inch slices
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 16 ounces penne pasta (ziti or rigatoni works)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and position baking rack in center of the oven.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat, add in the sausage pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add in the bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add in the tomatoes with their juices, salt, and pepper. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain well and add the pasta to the sauce along with half of the mozzarella and half of the parmesan, stir to combine.
- Pour the pasta mixture to a large casserole dish or 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top. Bake, uncovered, until hot and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Easy- Delicious
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you for your recipe. May I use rapini instead of peppers
Yes! That sounds delicious 🙂