This Smoked Sausage & Pepper Marinara Pasta combines browned sausage, sweet bell peppers, and onions with pasta and a simple marinara sauce. It’s a filling, budget-friendly dinner ready in about 30 minutes!
An Easy Pasta Dinner with Simple Ingredients
A package of smoked sausage and a jar of marinara can go a long way when you’re planning dinner on a budget. Add pasta, peppers, and onions, and you have a complete meal without a long shopping list.
Browning the sausage first adds flavor to the skillet. The peppers and onions soften in the same pan before the garlic and marinara go in. Toss everything with cooked pasta, and dinner is ready!
This recipe also fits easily into a weekly meal plan with overlapping ingredients. The bell peppers can be shared with a chicken and rice skillet, and you can use the same pasta shape for another dinner later in the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes: A practical option for busy weeknights.
- Short ingredient list: Uses smoked sausage, vegetables, pasta, and pantry staples.
- Budget-friendly: Pasta and vegetables help stretch one package of sausage into four servings.
- Easy to customize: Use your favorite marinara and whichever pasta shape you have.
- Simple cleanup: You’ll need a pasta pot and one large skillet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Smoked sausage: Use a 12–14 oz package of fully cooked smoked sausage, sliced into rounds or half-moons.
Pasta: Penne or rotini work well, but spaghetti is another option if you’re sharing a larger package across two dinners.
Bell peppers: Any color works. Red, yellow, and orange peppers add sweetness, while green peppers have a slightly more savory flavor.
Onion and garlic: Add flavor to the sauce with very little extra preparation.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite 24 oz jar.
Olive oil: Helps brown the sausage and soften the vegetables.
Italian seasoning and black pepper: Give the jarred sauce a little extra seasoning.
Parmesan: An optional topping if you already have some on hand.
How to Make Smoked Sausage & Pepper Marinara Pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, reserving a little pasta water before draining.
Meanwhile, brown the sliced sausage in a large skillet. Transfer it to a plate, then cook the peppers and onion in the same skillet until softened. Stir in the garlic, followed by the marinara and seasonings.
Return the sausage to the pan and simmer briefly. Add the cooked pasta and toss until coated, using a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Tips for the Best Results
- Brown the sausage: Let the slices sit briefly between stirring so they develop some color.
- Slice vegetables evenly: This helps the peppers and onions cook at the same rate.
- Cook pasta just until tender: It will get tossed in the warm sauce before serving.
- Reserve pasta water: Add it gradually if the sauce needs loosening.
- Taste before adding salt: Smoked sausage and jarred marinara already contain salt.
Budget-Friendly Swaps
Stretch a three-pack of peppers: Use 1½ bell peppers here and save the other 1½ for Paprika Chicken & Pepper Rice Skillet.
Use one pasta shape for the week: Spaghetti works in this recipe and in Beef & Broccoli Noodles. You’ll need 24 oz total for both dinners.
Try a different sausage: Fully cooked turkey smoked sausage or kielbasa can replace the smoked sausage.
Use frozen peppers and onions: Cook off any extra moisture before adding the marinara so the sauce doesn’t become watery.
Smoked Sausage & Pepper Marinara Pasta
Description
This Smoked Sausage & Pepper Marinara Pasta combines sliced smoked sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, and pasta in a seasoned tomato sauce. A filling, budget-friendly dinner made with everyday ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
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Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Transfer to a plate.
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Reduce heat to medium. Add peppers and onion to the same skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add a small splash of water if needed to prevent sticking.
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Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
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Add marinara, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Return sausage to the skillet and simmer for 3–5 minutes, until heated through.
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Add drained pasta and toss to coat. Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
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Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with optional Parmesan.
Note
- Use fully cooked smoked sausage for the timing listed.
- Penne, rotini, or spaghetti all work well.
- Using 1½ peppers instead of two helps stretch a three-pack across two dinners.
- Add pasta water only as needed; you may not use the full amount.
