Speedy Sausage And Pasta
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring savory sausage, vibrant peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes, perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners with bold, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. sausage, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 16 oz. can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced olives
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper ⓘ
- 1 lb. package Capellini or Vermicelli pasta ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute sausage in a large skillet until browned.
- Add chopped pepper, onion, and minced garlic; cook until onion is tender.
- Stir in stewed tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, sliced olives, salt, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and combine it with the sausage mixture before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, you can use Italian sausage with wine instead of regular sausage. If you prefer a lighter version, turkey sausage works well as a substitute. Feel free to add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition. To save time, use pre-sliced mushrooms and pre-chopped onions and peppers from the store.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this speedy sausage and pasta dish with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top adds a nice touch. This dish pairs beautifully with Bo's Pasta Salad for a delightful Italian-inspired dinner. You can also serve it with a glass of red wine for a more sophisticated experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Adding a splash of water can help maintain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Speedy Sausage And Pasta contains roughly 249 calories, with 13g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (149% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (138% of the Daily Value), and potassium (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1852mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the Capellini or Vermicelli with any pasta of your choice. Penne or fusilli would work great, just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions. The sauce will still complement the pasta beautifully.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can replace the sausage with a plant-based sausage or omit it altogether. Add more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. You can also use vegetable broth instead of water for added depth.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To increase the heat, you can add more crushed red pepper flakes or even a dash of hot sauce to the sausage mixture. Additionally, consider using spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick. Just remember to adjust the amount according to your heat preference!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).