This sausage and pasta skillet is the kind of weeknight meal everyone looks forward to—quick, cozy, and loaded with bold Italian flavors. Juicy sausage, tender penne pasta, sweet red peppers, and fresh tomatoes simmer together in a garlicky tomato sauce, then get finished with basil and shaved parmesan. Every bite is comforting, hearty, and irresistibly delicious!
Key Ingredients for the Best Sausage Pasta
Italian Sausage:
Spicy Italian sausage brings the most flavor, but mild works great too. You can even swap in chicken sausage or turkey kielbasa.
Penne Pasta:
Penne holds onto the sauce beautifully, but rigatoni or rotini make excellent alternatives.
Fresh Veggies:
Red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, and ripe tomatoes add sweetness, richness, and color.
Crushed Tomato:
Just a couple of tablespoons help create a flavorful sauce without being too heavy.
Broth:
Low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth adds depth while keeping the dish light.
Seasonings:
Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and crushed fennel seeds (the secret flavor boost!) make the sauce irresistible.
Fresh Herbs:
Basil and scallions brighten up the whole skillet before serving.
How to Make Sausage Pasta (Step-by-Step)
This dish looks impressive but comes together with simple weeknight steps:
- Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausages in a large skillet with a little oil (a splash of water keeps them from burning). Remove and slice.
- Sauté the aromatics—onion, garlic, fennel, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning—in the same skillet.
- Add the veggies: bell pepper, diced tomatoes, crushed tomato, and broth. Simmer until tender.
- Return the sliced sausage to the skillet and cook until everything is saucy and flavorful.
- Toss in the pasta, coat well, and finish with basil, scallions, and parmesan.
Tips for Perfect Sausage Pasta
- Don’t skip the fennel seeds! They add classic Italian sausage flavor and elevate the whole dish.
- Choose a pasta that grips sauce well—penne, rigatoni, or rotini.
- Switch up the sausage for fun variations: chicken sausage, spicy chorizo, or turkey sausage all work well.
- Add extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms for more nutrition and color.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover sausage pasta in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Reader Reviews
Sharon: “Simple and so yummy!”
New: “Perfect weeknight meal… So tasty even without fennel or parmesan!”
Mamie: “Really easy and very good.”
Esperanza: “Loved this dish! Added potatoes, asparagus, and zucchini—still amazing!”
Debbie: “So tasty, so easy.”
Mary: “Added cinnamon and nutmeg—perfect fall twist.”
More Pasta Recipes to Try
- Tomato Spinach Sausage Pasta
- 15-Minute Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
- Parmesan Spinach Mushroom Pasta
- Tomato Spinach Shrimp PastaSausage Pasta Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
1 package Italian sausage (5–6 links)
1 lb (450g) penne pasta
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt & pepper, to taste
4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp crushed tomato
1/2 cup (125ml) chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp crushed chili flakes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 scallion, sliced (garnish)
Fresh basil, chopped (garnish)
Shaved parmesan (optional)
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Sausage:
Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until browned on all sides. Add 1/4 cup water if needed to prevent sticking. When almost cooked through, remove to a cutting board.
Sauté Veggies & Aromatics:
In the same skillet, discard any water but keep the browned bits. Add 1 tbsp oil, onions, crushed fennel, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
Add garlic and crushed tomato; sauté 1–2 minutes.
Add bell pepper and diced tomatoes; cook until tender. Pour in broth and simmer 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
Add Sausage:
Slice the browned sausage into 1/4–1/2-inch pieces. Return to skillet and cook 5–10 minutes, until fully cooked and sauce thickens.
Combine:
Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Heat 1–2 minutes.
Garnish & Serve:
Top with fresh basil, scallions, and parmesan. Serve warm.
Sausage Pasta Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package Italian sausage (5–6 links)
- 1 lb (450g) penne pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 tbsp crushed tomato
- 1/2 cup (125ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp crushed chili flakes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
- 1 scallion, sliced (garnish)
- Fresh basil, chopped (garnish)
- Shaved parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Brown the Sausage:
Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until browned on all sides. Add 1/4 cup water if needed to prevent sticking. When almost cooked through, remove to a cutting board. - Sauté Veggies & Aromatics:
In the same skillet, discard any water but keep the browned bits. Add 1 tbsp oil, onions, crushed fennel, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning.
Add garlic and crushed tomato; sauté 1–2 minutes.
Add bell pepper and diced tomatoes; cook until tender. Pour in broth and simmer 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. - Add Sausage:
Slice the browned sausage into 1/4–1/2-inch pieces. Return to skillet and cook 5–10 minutes, until fully cooked and sauce thickens. - Combine:
Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Heat 1–2 minutes. - Garnish & Serve:
Top with fresh basil, scallions, and parmesan. Serve warm.