The Perfect Creamy Sausage And Peppers Pasta Recipe For Busy Nights

Creamy sausage and peppers pasta brings comfort straight to your dinner table with its rich, satisfying flavors.

Italian comfort food rarely gets more delightful than this hearty combination of savory ingredients.

Bold spices dance through each tender bite, creating a symphony of taste that tingles your senses.

Home cooks adore how quickly this dish comes together without sacrificing depth of flavor.

Robust sausage mingles perfectly with sweet bell peppers, redefineing ordinary pasta into an extraordinary meal.

Smooth, velvety sauce coats each noodle, ensuring maximum deliciousness in every forkful.

Weeknight dinners demand something quick yet impressive, and this recipe delivers precisely that magical balance.

Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta That Comforts Instantly

• Savor Complex Flavor Layers: This recipe combines spicy sausage, sweet bell peppers, and tangy Dijon mustard for a flavor explosion that dances across your taste buds with each bite.
• Conquer Creamy Comfort: The rich, velvety sauce created by butter, cream, and flour transforms an ordinary pasta dish into a luxurious comfort meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: By using the same skillet for sausage, vegetables, and sauce, this recipe minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor development and kitchen efficiency.

Everything in Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta

• Pasta: Classic base for the creamy dish, choose a short pasta shape like penne or rigatoni for better sauce coating.

• Sausage, Spinach: Hearty protein with rich flavor, choose Italian sausage for more depth; spinach adds nutritional boost and fresh green color.

• Butter, Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creates luxurious creamy texture and rich flavor, use full-fat versions for best results.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic Italian flavor profile.

• Onion, Bell Peppers: Provides sweet and slightly charred base flavor, mix colors for visual appeal.

• Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create smooth consistency.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity to the cream sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall dish flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking.

Cooking Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta Without Fuss

Step 1: Prep Pasta Water

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

Step 2: Brown Sausage

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage, breaking it into pieces, for 8-10 minutes until fully browned. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

• Onions
• Bell peppers

Sauté until onions are lightly golden and peppers are tender, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Base

• Butter
• Garlic

Melt butter, then sprinkle in flour. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

Step 5: Build Sauce

Stir in cream and Dijon mustard. Mix thoroughly to prevent lumps. Let sauce thicken for 1 minute.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients

Return sausage to skillet. Add spinach and stir until spinach wilts completely.

Step 7: Finish Pasta Dish

Scoop a splash of pasta water into the skillet. Drain pasta and add to the mixture. Toss until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Plate immediately. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Tips to Balance Creaminess in Sausage and Peppers Pasta

• Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth and rich, authentic taste.
• Perfect Pasta Timing: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure ideal texture when mixed with creamy sauce.
• Vegetable Browning Technique: Caramelize onions and peppers slowly to develop deep, sweet undertones that enhance overall dish complexity.
• Smooth Sauce Secret: Whisk flour and cream carefully to prevent lumps, creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce every time.
• Fresh Finish Trick: Reserve pasta water before draining to help sauce adhere perfectly and add subtle starchy richness to the final dish.

Storing and Reheating Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta the Right Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the pasta separate from any additional toppings to maintain its best texture. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to help restore the creamy sauce's consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even warming. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pasta dry and sauce separate. If using the microwave, cover the dish and heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

Side Ideas for Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Match the rich, spicy sausage flavor with a bold Chianti or Zinfandel that cuts through the creamy sauce and complements the peppery notes.
• Crisp Salad Sidekick: Balance the heavy pasta with a light, tangy arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to refresh the palate and add brightness to the meal.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy pasta.
• Citrus-Infused Sparkling Water: Cleanse the palate with a zesty lemon or orange-infused sparkling water that cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing touch to the hearty dish.

Unique Versions of Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta

• Spicy Sausage Pepper Pasta: Replace bell peppers with hot jalapeños or serrano peppers for extra heat. Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Pasta: Swap sausage for ground lamb and incorporate oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Use feta cheese instead of parmesan for an authentic Greek flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Pasta: Substitute sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted chickpeas. Use nutritional yeast in place of parmesan to maintain creamy texture and add depth.
• Smoky Chicken Pepper Pasta: Replace sausage with diced smoked chicken breast. Include a touch of smoked paprika in the sauce to enhance the smoky undertones and complement the chicken.

Creamy Sausage And Peppers Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy sausage and peppers pasta delivers Italian-inspired comfort in one skillet. Rich Italian sausage mingles with bell peppers and a luxurious cream sauce, coating perfectly al dente pasta for a satisfying meal that welcomes you to the table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta (bucatini recommended)

Vegetables and Herbs:

• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach

Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy/whipping cream
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, following the package instructions precisely.
2. Heat a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and thoroughly brown the sausage, meticulously breaking it into crumbly pieces during the 8-10 minute cooking process. Transfer the cooked meat to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
3. Utilizing the same skillet, introduce olive oil, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers. Sauté until the onions develop a delicate golden hue and the peppers become tender, approximately 7-8 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and incorporate butter and minced garlic. Once the butter melts completely, dust the mixture with flour and cook for roughly one minute, stirring continuously to prevent any lumping.
5. Gradually pour in the cream and Dijon mustard, whisking thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce. Allow the mixture to thicken for about a minute, developing a rich, velvety consistency.
6. Reintroduce the browned sausage and fresh spinach to the skillet, gently stirring until the spinach leaves completely wilt and incorporate into the sauce.
7. Before draining the pasta, reserve a small amount of starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the skillet, tossing vigorously to ensure each strand is generously coated with the creamy sauce.
8. Plate the pasta immediately, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Finish by generously sprinkling freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top for an extra layer of flavor and richness.

Notes

• Boost pasta water’s starchy magic by saving a splash before draining, helping sauce stick perfectly to noodles.
• Brown sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and create delicious caramelized texture throughout the dish.
• Use one skillet for multiple cooking steps, minimizing cleanup and allowing ingredients to build layered, complex tastes.
• Wilting spinach directly in the sauce preserves nutrients and adds vibrant green color to the creamy, comforting meal.
• Medium-high heat ensures proper sausage rendering and vegetable caramelization without burning delicate ingredients.
• Dijon mustard provides unexpected tangy depth, elevating the classic cream sauce with subtle sophisticated complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg