Nom Nom Sausage Pepper Pasta

I love making pasta, there are so many variations you can make that it never gets old! Throw in whatever veggies or meats you have on hand, make a delicious sauce, toss with your favorite pasta and viola! This happens to be one of my favorite combinations, I hope you like it as much as I do!

Here is what you will need to make it: Link sausage, a large onion, any colored peppers, broccoli, canned tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, olive oil, heavy cream, Marsala wine, Parmesan cheese, and spaghetti.

Start by cooking the sausage. You can do them any way you like or even use some leftover sausage from the grill. I started them by boiling in 1/4 of the Marsala wine and 1/4 of water for 10 minutes with the lid on, then take the lid off and cook 10 more minutes until browned. Take them out of the pan when done. Meanwhile chop your veggies into bite sized pieces. Add a little olive oil to the pan after taking the sausage out and dump the veggies in. Toss in a little salt and pepper to taste. Chop the garlic and add that in too. Cook the veggies until soft but still have a little bite to them. Take the veggies out and set them aside.

Now time for the sauce (also time to start cooking your pasta.) Add 1/2 cup Marsala wine and reduce to about half. Pour in 2 cups heavy cream and reduce that as well. Season with salt and pepper, and add in a couple shakes of the red pepper flakes (as much spicy as you can take) and the herbs, chopped. Cut up your sausages to bite sized pieces and when the cream sauce has reduced add them back to the pan along with the veggies and canned tomatoes. Stir to coat and let it simmer a bit to let all the flavors meld. When your pasta is ready it's time to plate it up! Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top for the perfect finishing touch.

Yum! Go on, take a bite!


Sausage Pepper Pasta
(makes 4-6 servings depending on how hungry you are)

4-5 links Italian sausage
1 large onion
2-3 bell peppers
1 large or 2 small heads broccoli
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
4 cloves garlic (I love garlic!)
Red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, or 1 tsp dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or 1 tsp dried
Olive oil
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup Marsala wine
2 cups heavy cream
Parmesan cheese
Your favorite pasta

Cook sausage according to package directions or boil in a large pan with 1/4 cup Marsala wine and 1/4 water for 10 minutes with lid on and 10 minutes with lid off. Remove sausage and let them rest. Chop your veggies into bite sized pieces and add to the pan along with a swirl of olive oil (2 tablespoons) and salt and pepper to taste. Chop garlic and add. Cook the veggies at medium high heat until tender but still crisp, say about 10 minutes. Remove from pan.

To make the sauce add 1/2 cup Marsala wine to pan and reduce to about half. Add in the heavy cream and reduce heat to medium low. Salt and pepper to taste, then give a few shakes of red pepper flakes. Add in the herbs. Meanwhile chop sausages into bite sized pieces. When the cream sauce is nice and thick toss in sausage and veggies. Stir to coat and simmer for about 5 minutes to let all the flavors blend. Spoon sauce on top of your favorite pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. A garnish of basil leaves is optional (but pretty!)

This pasta is also great with the addition of mushrooms and probably a zillion other yummy vegetables. If you come up with a good combo, let me know!