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Sweet Pepper and Sausage Pasta

A comforting Italian-American pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and fragrant garlic, topped with toasted breadcrumbs for added crunch.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage, mild or spicy Look for a good sausage-to-fat ratio.
  • 2 medium Red or yellow bell peppers Choose firm and heavy for their size.
  • 1/2 cup Sweet onion Chop finely.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 8 oz Short-cut pasta, dry Cook until al dente.
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing.
  • 2 tbsp Toasted breadcrumbs For topping.
Flavor Enhancers
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste Adds richness.
  • 1 tsp Oregano, dried For seasoning.
  • 1 tsp Balsamic vinegar Enhances sweetness.
  • 1 1/2 tsp Brown sugar, light Balances flavors.
  • Kosher salt to taste Kosher salt Adjust to preference.
  • 1/2 cup Reserved pasta water Adds flavor to the sauce.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil and add the short-cut pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  2. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Cooking the Sausage
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the Italian sausage, breaking it into pieces and cooking until nicely browned, about 5-6 minutes.
  2. Remove the sausage from the skillet.
Sautéing the Vegetables
  1. In the same skillet, add chopped bell peppers and sweet onion. Sauté until softened and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and dried oregano, stirring well to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Bringing It All Together
  1. Return the browned sausage to the skillet and add brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, and reserved pasta water. Stir and let simmer for a few minutes.
  2. Finally, add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until well combined.
Serving
  1. Serve hot, topped with toasted breadcrumbs.

Notes

For a different flavor, use spicy Italian sausage or a vegetarian substitute. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.