Print

Creamy Sausage Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers

Creamy Sausage Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers
Print Recipe

Creamy Sausage Pasta with Roasted Red Peppers is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines spicy Italian sausage, sweet smoky roasted red peppers, and a luscious creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or to impress guests, this recipe is easy to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and offers a rich, satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 12 oz Italian sausage (removed from casings if needed)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped (jarred or fresh roasted)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta & Dairy

  • 8 oz pasta of choice (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs (basil or parsley), chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove sausage from casings if necessary and crumble it into the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, allowing crispy bits to form for extra flavor.
  3. Sauté aromatics and blend peppers: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté until fragrant and translucent. Stir in chopped roasted red peppers. For a smoother sauce, briefly puree the peppers before adding them to the pan.
  4. Make the creamy sauce: Pour heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and silky. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Return the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all the pasta in the creamy sauce. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to taste.

Notes

  • Use quality Italian sausage for richer flavor.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help sauce cling to pasta.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to prevent cream from curdling.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end for brightness.
  • Toast some Parmesan cheese earlier in the cooking process if desired to deepen flavor, reserving some for garnish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy sausage pasta, roasted red peppers, Italian sausage recipe, quick pasta dinner, creamy pasta sauce, comfort food

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/creamy-sausage-pasta-with-roasted-red-peppers/