Sausage, bell peppers, penne, and tomato sauce combine for a quick, hearty Italian-inspired meal.
# Components:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Pasta
08 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni
→ Dairy
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)
→ Spices & Pantry
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - Salt, to taste
14 - Black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes.
03 - Add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables soften, approximately 5 minutes.
04 - Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to combine.
06 - If desired, stir in heavy cream for a richer, more luxurious sauce.
07 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta, adding a splash of reserved cooking water if the sauce needs thinning.
08 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and top with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley before serving.
