Creamy Sausage & Bell Pepper Penne
Indulge in this comforting Creamy Sausage & Bell Pepper Penne dish, where hearty penne pasta meets flavorful hot Italian sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and onions, all enveloped in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce. This delightful recipe is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner and is easily adjustable to suit your taste. With its perfect balance of spice from the sausage and sweetness from the peppers, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser at your table. Serve it with a sprinkle of fresh basil and enjoy a home-cooked meal that brings warmth and flavor to every bite.
8
Servings
338
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Penne pasta
16 ounces (dry)
Olive oil or bacon drippings
2 tablespoons (for frying)
Hot Italian sausage links
5 (sliced into 3/4 inch coins)
Bell peppers
2 (sliced into thin strips)
White onion
1 (sliced into thin strips)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (minced (or 3-4 cloves))
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Flour
2 tablespoons (optional, for thickening)
Chicken broth
1/4 cup (liquid)
Heavy cream
2 cups (liquid)
Parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated)
Fresh basil
to taste (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by slicing the hot Italian sausage into generous 3/4 inch slices.
2
Next, cut the white onion and bell peppers into thin strips (julienne) to promote even cooking.
3
Mince 3 to 4 cloves of garlic or use pre-minced garlic to save time. Set aside.
4
Chop fresh basil into small strips, roughly 1 inch in length for a pop of freshness in your dish.
5
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (or bacon drippings) over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and fry until they are browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
7
Once the sausage is cooked, add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 2 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
8
Stir in the minced garlic and continue to cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
9
If you prefer a thicker Alfredo sauce, dust the mixture with 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir the mixture for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes to cook the flour slightly.
10
Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth and mix thoroughly for about 30 seconds.
11
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream. Stir to combine and gradually bring it to a gentle boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.
12
Incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until it melts completely and creates a creamy texture.
13
Finally, toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
14
Garnish each serving with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your creamy sausage and bell pepper penne!
Nutrition Information
19g
Fat
31g
Carbs
15g
Protein
1g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Sausage & Bell Pepper Penne?
It is a comforting pasta dish featuring hot Italian sausage, vibrant bell peppers, and onions in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 5 hot Italian sausage links.
How should I slice the sausage?
Slice the sausage links into generous 3/4 inch coins.
How should the vegetables be cut?
The white onion and bell peppers should be cut into thin strips, or julienned, for even cooking.
How much garlic is needed for this dish?
You should use 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, which is roughly 3 to 4 cloves.
How do I prepare the fresh basil garnish?
Chop the fresh basil into small strips approximately 1 inch in length.
How should the penne pasta be cooked?
Cook the 16 ounces of penne pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente.
What oil is best for frying the sausage?
You can use 2 tablespoons of olive oil or bacon drippings for frying the sausage.
How long do I fry the sausage?
Fry the sausage slices over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are browned on all sides.
When do I add the peppers and onions?
Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet after the sausage has been browned.
How long should the vegetables sauté?
Sauté the vegetables for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften.
At what point is the garlic added?
Stir in the minced garlic after the vegetables have softened and cook for one additional minute until fragrant.
Is flour required for the sauce?
Flour is optional and used only if you prefer a thicker Alfredo sauce texture.
How much flour should be used for thickening?
If you choose to thicken the sauce, use 2 tablespoons of flour to dust the meat and vegetable mixture.
How much chicken broth is included?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
How much heavy cream is needed?
You will need 2 cups of heavy cream to create the sauce.
How long should the sauce simmer with the cream?
Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
What kind of cheese is added to the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
When is the Parmesan cheese added?
Incorporate the Parmesan cheese after the cream has simmered, stirring until it melts completely.
How is the pasta integrated into the dish?
Toss the cooked penne into the skillet and ensure it is well-coated with the sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 338 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 19 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
One serving contains 31 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 15 grams of protein.
Does this dish contain much fiber?
Each serving contains about 1 gram of fiber.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe specifies using one white onion.
What garnish is used for serving?
Garnish each serving with fresh chopped basil.
Is the sauce a traditional Alfredo?
It is a rich and creamy Alfredo-style sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, you can adjust the salt and black pepper to taste after the pasta is tossed with the sauce.