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Home » Dinner Recipes » Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Published: Apr 25, 2020 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Louisa Clements · This post may contain affiliate links

This post may contain affiliate links

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35 minutes 16 Comments

Sausage and pepper pasta made with Italian sausages is the perfect easy weeknight pasta and cheesy comfort food. This recipe was originally published on February 25, 2018 and updated on April 26, 2020.

A scoop being taken out of cheesy sausage and pepper pasta

In recent years, as life has become busier, I’ve been more focused on sharing easy weeknight dinners. Always asking myself the question if the recipe fits my mission–‘is this simple, fresh and flavourful?’.

This sausage and pepper pasta, which you cover with cheese and bake in the oven until it’s bubbling and brown, and then serve with fresh basil is one of my favourite comfort foods. And it’s ready in under 45 minutes, which means it can work for a simple weeknight meal.

To make things easier, I’ve created a weeknight dinner category on my site to help you find these weeknight-worthy recipes.

A closeup of a scoop being spooned out of cheesy baked pasta

In the winter, I probably make this pasta dish once a month. Depending on the day, I’ll use either my 20-minute homemade marinara sauce or a good quality store-bought sauce; it’s ok to take shortcuts when you need to.

I’ve always loved the combination of sweet bell peppers and hot Italian sausage. It’s that sweet/spicy combination that makes a perfect pasta dish. The same reason I love my recipe for pasta with cherry tomatoes.

The best way to freeze sausages

A quick tip for freezing sausage; I like to buy sausage in bulk, so I always have some on hand for quick dinners. To freeze them, wrap 2-4 sausages in aluminum foil and store them in a large freezer bag. 

Sausage and pepper pasta in a blue Le Creuset braising dish with melted cheese and fresh basil on top.

This way, instead of thawing the entire package, you can thaw the perfect amount for each recipe that you’re cooking. 

I use rigatoni pasta–which is the obviously the best pasta shape–but you could also use penne or any kind of tubular or shell pasta. I find this style of pasta is the best for a cheesy and saucy baked pasta recipes.

A scoop being taken out of cheesy sausage and pepper pasta

Sausage and Pepper Pasta

Author: Louisa Clements
3.91 from 42 votes
Sausage and pepper pasta is the perfect cheesy comfort food and easy weeknight dinner ready in under 45 minutes.
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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
servings icon
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 hot Italian sausages, thinly sliced
  • 2 red bell peppers, sliced
  • ½ tsp hot chili flakes
  • 2 ¾ cup or 680-ml can marinara sauce
  • 454 g pkg. rigatoni pasta
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced basil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta 1-2 minutes less than indicated.
  • Heat a large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, cook sausage for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, remove from pan and set aside. Add bell peppers, cook another 5 minutes. Add sausage, marinara sauce and chill flakes. Toss cooked pasta with sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil, serve.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + rating and let me know what you think!
Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, easy, Fall, Pasta, quick recipes, Winter
Nutrition Facts
Sausage and Pepper Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 568 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 58mg19%
Sodium 1104mg48%
Potassium 747mg21%
Carbohydrates 66g22%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 2083IU42%
Vitamin C 59mg72%
Calcium 230mg23%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is an estimate and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any specific dietary concerns, please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

Let me know if you give this recipe for Italian sausage and pepper baked pasta a try in the comments below.

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Comments

  1. Graeme

    November 11, 2022 at 5:32 am

    Threw in some fried onion very thinly sliced by the way. Opted for garlic sausages and a arrabbiata sauce and added a few lightly toasted chopped 🌶 chili Quite a feast and a great base recipe to start from. Thanks from Japan .
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      November 27, 2022 at 8:35 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this, Graeme!
      Reply
  2. Lance D Kuznitz

    March 14, 2022 at 2:19 pm

    Family lives this recipe.

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Louisa Clements

      March 20, 2022 at 5:59 pm

      So glad you enjoy this, Lance! Thanks for letting me know.
      Reply
  3. Shirley Clements

    September 09, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    Love this recipe! I use a milder Italian Sausage & I let people add their own hot pepper flakes, but it is still sooo delicious!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  4. Shirley Clements

    February 02, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    Love this pasta dish! Will be making it soon again!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  5. Shirley Clements

    August 22, 2020 at 7:03 pm

    Love this recipe! Easy to make & sooo yummy!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  6. Shirley Clements

    May 31, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    I am making this recipe again for my dinner tonight. I love it!
    Reply
  7. Shirley Clements

    October 07, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    I soooo love this recipe & I soooo love your Marinara Sauce, Miss Living Lou! Must make this particular recipe soon again! Thanks for posting it again!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
  8. Shirley Clements

    June 24, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Just want to let you know how much my company enjoyed your Italian Sausage with Rigatoni Baked Pasta...I didn’t use “hot” Italian sausage nor did I add the “hot pepper flakes” to the recipe but I had “hot pepper flakes” on the table for those who like their pasta on the “hot side”! It was soooo easy to make & soooo yummy! I plan on making it again for my company next week!
    ★★★★★

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Lou

      August 11, 2018 at 11:22 am

      I'm so thrilled to hear that! Thank you for letting me know! :)
      Reply
  9. anupreetkaur

    April 09, 2018 at 7:01 am

    sounds Great Thanks For sharing Love your recipe
    ★★★★☆

    4 stars

    Reply
    • Lou

      April 24, 2018 at 10:17 pm

      Thank you, let me know if you give it a try!
      Reply
  10. anupreetkaur

    April 05, 2018 at 8:17 am

    Looks So Great And Perfect.
    ★★★★☆

    4 stars

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Louisa Clements & welcome to Living Lou. I've been creating simple, fresh & flavorful recipes for the modern kitchen for 12 years.
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