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sausage and peppers dish

Savory Sausage and Peppers

This vibrant Italian-inspired dish combines lean turkey sausage with a colorful trio of bell peppers in a rich tomato sauce. Served over penne pasta and finished with melty mozzarella, it delivers incredible flavor while remaining surprisingly light and satisfying.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cooking spray
  • 1 pound turkey Italian sausage
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 26 ounce fat-free pasta sauce 1 bottle
  • 6 cups penne pasta cooked (about 3/4 pound uncooked)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Equipment

  • Large nonstick skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Pasta pot

Method
 

  1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
  2. Add turkey Italian sausage to the pan and cook for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly browned on all sides.
  3. Remove sausage from the pan and let cool slightly. Slice into ½-inch thick rounds.
  4. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels. Reapply cooking spray and return to medium-high heat.
  5. Add the green, red, and yellow bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for about 6 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
  6. Return the sliced sausage to the pan and sauté for 2 more minutes.
  7. Add the thinly sliced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  8. Pour in the pasta sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in the mozzarella cheese until completely melted and incorporated.
  10. To serve, place 1 cup of hot cooked penne pasta in each bowl and top with about 1 cup of the sausage and pepper mixture.
  11. Sprinkle each serving with approximately 1 teaspoon of fresh Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild. This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. For a low-carb option, serve over roasted spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
The sausage and pepper mixture also makes excellent sandwich filling - simply stuff into toasted hoagie rolls and top with additional melted cheese for a delicious alternative serving option.