Description
A flavorful and hearty Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta combining ziti pasta with savory sweet Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a tangy tomato sauce enhanced with balsamic vinegar. This quick and easy 30-minute meal is perfect for a comforting dinner packed with fresh, vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces sweet Italian sausages (casings removed)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 4 large cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 3 medium-sized bell peppers (any color, sliced into 2-inch-long pieces)
- 1 cup chopped onion
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 18 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sweet Italian sausage, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks, and continue cooking until browned thoroughly.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped garlic, sliced bell peppers, and chopped onions to the pan with the sausage. Stir frequently to combine and cook the vegetables until they begin to soften, about five minutes.
- Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour in the balsamic vinegar and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate their flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes and kosher salt. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook together for about five minutes to meld the flavors and cook the sausage and peppers fully in the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked ziti pasta directly into the pan with the sausage and pepper sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta thoroughly with sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh herbaceous finish. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This recipe is a twist on the traditional sausage and peppers dish by including pasta and a simple tomato-based sauce enhanced with balsamic vinegar.
- It makes a balanced, flavorful 30-minute dinner that is both convenient and satisfying.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your heat preference.
- Using any color bell peppers adds vibrant color and sweetness to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 464 kcal
- Sugar: 13.8 g
- Sodium: 1043.1 mg
- Fat: 12.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65.1 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 24.8 g
- Cholesterol: 25.5 mg
