Creamy Garlic Tomato Sausage and Bell Pepper Pasta

This pasta dish takes the classic flavors of a sausage-and-pepper hoagie and transforms them into a comforting, elegant weeknight dinner. Twist cavatappi or gluten-free fusilli noodles are tossed in a silky roasted garlic tomato sauce, studded with crispy bits of Italian pork sausage and sweet roasted bell peppers. A touch of cream sauce base and Parmesan cheese makes every bite rich and satisfying.

Roasting the bell pepper and garlic brings out their natural sweetness and depth, which perfectly complements the savory sausage. The result is a restaurant-quality meal that comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve it with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of chili for a little heat.

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Ingredients

1 unit Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

7 ounce Gluten-Free Fresh Fusilli PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

9 ounce Italian Pork SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chili PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Halve bell pepper; remove stem and seeds. Peel garlic. Thinly slice chili.
2. Drizzle each bell pepper half with oil and season with salt and pepper; place cut sides down on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place garlic in the center of a small piece of foil. Drizzle with oil; season with salt and pepper. Cinch into a packet and place on same sheet. Roast on middle rack until bell pepper is lightly charred and garlic is softened, 20-25 minutes.
3. Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain.
4. While pasta cooks, remove sausage from casing if necessary; discard casing. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. (TIP: If there’s excess grease in your pan, carefully pour it out.) If desired, stir in a pinch of chili; cook until fragrant, 15 seconds. Add tomato paste and ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water (¾ cup for 4 servings). Simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes more. Turn off heat.
5. Carefully transfer roasted bell pepper and garlic to a cutting board. Thinly slice bell pepper into strips. Mash garlic with a fork. Return pan with sauce to low heat. Stir in garlic and cream sauce base. Stir in bell pepper, drained cavatappi, half the Parmesan (save the rest for serving) and 2 TBSP butter (4 TBSP for 4 servings). TIP: If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.
6. Season pasta with salt and pepper; divide between bowls. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and a pinch of remaining chili if desired. Serve.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute cavatappi or fusilli with any short pasta like penne, rotini or farfalle. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, omit the butter and Parmesan cheese and use a dairy-free cream sauce alternative. The flavor will still be delicious.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.