Italian Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta

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This Italian Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels fancy but takes minimal effort! It’s rich, creamy, and full of bold flavors from the roasted red peppers, hearty sausage, and a touch of marsala wine. A perfect combination of comforting and satisfying, it’s bound to become a household favorite!

Italian sausage and red pepper pasta served in a bowl next to a small serving of chili flakes and parmesan.

Why We Love This Italian Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

This recipe hits all the right notes—it’s indulgent yet balanced, with the sweetness of roasted red peppers perfectly complementing the savory sausage and richness of the creamy sauce. Whenever my family and I need a cozy, satisfying bowl of pasta, this is my go-to recipe. Many pasta recipes can feel heavy, but this one is brightened up by the acidic wine and a touch of spice, keeping it from feeling overly rich.

Italian sausage and red pepper pasta is a simple meal that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to whip up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you want something that feels special without a ton of effort!

Ingredients You Need

Paccheri Pasta: I love to use paccheri shaped pasta here. Another great option would be penne or calamarata!
Italian Sausage: I chose a mild Italian sausage here and chose to add chili flakes at the end for a bit more spice. If you want it extra spicy, you can use spicy Italian sausage instead. Or, you can opt for a sweet Italian sausage!
Onion & Garlic: Onion and garlic are aromatics that build a lot of flavor in the pasta sauce!
Roasted Red Peppers: Jarred roasted red peppers are easy to use and super flavorful.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds a tangy flavor to balance out the smoky peppers.
Marsala Wine: Marsala wine takes this Italian sausage and red pepper pasta up a notch. If you don’t have marsala wine on hand, you can use a white wine instead.
Heavy Cream: To make the sauce creamy and round out all the flavors!
Salt & Pepper: Season to taste with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
Chili Flakes: If you want it extra spicy, add some chili flakes on top before serving along with a bit of grated parmesan cheese!

Bowl of pasta topped with parmesan and chili flakes served next to a glass of wine.

How to Make Red Pepper Sausage Pasta

Prep the Pasta: Cook pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain and reserve one cup of the starchy cooking water.
Brown the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Add the sausage to your heated skillet, breaking it up with your spoon. Cook 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet.
Sauté Onion & Garlic: Add onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until translucent for about 5 minutes.
Add Tomato Paste & Peppers: Add the tomato paste and continue to stir. Add the red peppers and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Cook the Wine & Add Cream: Deglaze the pan with the wine and cook until the liquid evaporates. Pour the heavy cream into the pan and simmer on low heat for a few minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.

Adding the heavy cream into the onion and pepper mixture in a skillet.

Blend the Sauce: Transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the sauce back into the pan. Bring the sausage back and stir to combine.

Adding the browned Italian sausage back into the skillet with the sauce.

Combine with Pasta & Serve: Add cooked pasta into the pan and combine gently. Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Cooked pasta being combined with the sauce and sausage in a skillet.

Tips for Success

Don’t overcook the pasta! When boiling the pasta, make sure to cook it just until al dente, since it will cook a little bit more in the red pepper sauce as well!
Use the pasta water as needed. I always like to reserve some of the pasta cooking water in order to add to the sauce at the end in case it is too thick. The pasta water is better than regular water since it contains the starch from the pasta, which will help the sauce cling to the noodles beautifully!
Blend the sauce carefully. Remember that the ingredients in the sauce are going to be hot. When transferring to a blender, be sure to carefully blend and use a kitchen towel to hold the lid of the blender down. The steam can create pressure causing the lid to pop off if you don’t hold it down.

Bowl of red pepper pasta with Italian sausage with a fork in the bowl.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Italian sausage pasta with a salad or side of roasted vegetables like my roasted beet and kale salad or a charred romaine salad!

A side of garlic bread or homemade popovers would also be perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce. For a wine pairing, a dry white wine or light red would complement the dish beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I omit the wine in this pasta recipe?

If you prefer to skip the alcohol, you can substitute the wine with chicken or vegetable broth. It won’t have the same depth of flavor, but it will still taste great!

How should I store leftover pasta?

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days! Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stove before serving. You might want to add an extra splash of water or heavy cream to break up the sauce and recreate that creamy consistency.