Leftover Sausage and Peppers Pasta

This easy Sausage and Peppers Pasta Recipe combines leftover Italian sausage, bell peppers and onions with pasta for a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. A delicious dinner the whole family will love!

Sausage and Peppers with Pasta

Italian sausage and peppers pasta skillet is my favorite way to use up leftover sausage and peppers. We even make extra Italian sausages just so we can make this easy pasta recipe the next day!

I usually make air fryer sausage and peppers for baked sausage and peppers for sandwiches the first night. You can also make Instant Pot sausage and peppers or cook the sausages on the stove, grill or griddle.

I have included directions for cooking Italian sausage, peppers and onions from scratch in the recipe card in case you don’t have leftovers.

But if you’re looking for a recipe with leftover Italian sausages, peppers and no tomato sauce, this one’s for you! It’s a great recipe for an easy weeknight meal, especially during the school year.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for this Italian sausage and pepper pasta recipe. You can find them in your grocery store or online. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Pasta — Though penne pasta, farfalle pasta, and any short cut pasta will work, I used rotini pasta this time. I love short pasta shapes for this recipe, but even spaghetti will work
• Olive oil — for a light sauce
• Italian sausages — cooked and sliced thin
• Onions — white or yellow onion
• Bell peppers — I use red bell peppers and yellow bell peppers, but any color is fine
• Seasoning — Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, peppe
• Fresh basil — optional, but adds freshness
• Parmesan cheese — optional, but goes so well with this dish

I don’t add a lot of seasoning to this dish because it has plenty of flavor from the main ingredients.

How to Make Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta

First, cook your favorite pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Or, cook pasta in the Instant Pot! Save about a cup of pasta water to add to the pasta dish if needed.

Next, slice the cooked sausage links into small pieces. I usually aim for sausage slices about half inch thick. Then, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat on the stove.

Add the sausage peppers and onions mixture to the large skillet.

Stir the sausage mixture, and cook until heated through. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet.

Stir the sausages and pasta together until well combined. Then, drizzle in more olive oil, and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste.

If the pasta seems dry, add a little of the pasta water to the skillet. Or, add a little bit more olive oil.

Top this pasta dish off with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for extra flavor. You can add some red pepper flakes for extra heat if you like!

What to Serve with Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions Pasta

This Italian sausage pasta is basically a one pot meal. But, you can round it out with crusty bread and a simple side salad or steamed broccoli or green beans.

Variations

I’m the type of person who does not like tomatoes with peppers and sausage. But, you can stir in a jar of your favorite tomato sauce or marinara sauce or a little tomato paste if you like. Diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes would work, too.

If you want more vegetables in this dish, spinach or kale make the perfect addition. Just mix the leafy greens into the skillet after the pasta is added. Broccoli florets will also work!

For a creamier dish, add some heavy cream or cream cheese after you add the pasta into the skillet.

Use your favorite Italian sausage. Whether it is sweet Italian sausage, spicy Italian sausage, savory sausage or mild sausage, it’ll work. If you do not like pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage will work just as fine.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover Italian sausage pasta in an airtight container in the fridge or covered with plastic wrap. It’ll last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Reheat the pasta in the microwave or on the stove for best results.

This recipe is a great way to use up any leftovers in your fridge. Plus, it comes together in just a few simple steps.

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First published in 2022 and updated in 2024.