Easy Pasta Dinner with Smoked Sausage
A quick and hearty meal featuring smoky sausage and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sausage
- 12 oz spaghetti or penne pasta
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced Look for turkey or chicken alternatives for a lighter option.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1 each bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- to taste Salt and pepper
For Serving
- to taste Grated Parmesan cheese Optional
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Sautéing the Sausage
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and heated through, stirring occasionally.
Adding Vegetables
- Once the sausage is ready, add the diced bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
- After the pasta has finished cooking, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- Add the cooked pasta and halved cherry tomatoes to the sausage mixture.
- Pour in the reserved pasta water and sprinkle with dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine all ingredients.
Serving
- Heat everything through and until the tomatoes start to burst, about 2-3 minutes. Serve warm with grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
Notes
You can mix in any leftover vegetables such as spinach or zucchini. For storage, leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.