Hot sausage and pepper pasta is packed with jumbo black olives, fresh bell pepper slices, and sliced Italian sausage. This easy 30 minute pasta dish is a crowd pleaser!
Cook the sausage. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the sausage links and cook on each side for about 2 minutes. The sausage does not have to cook thoroughly as it will be added to the sauce to simmer for additional time.
Sauté the onion and garlic, then add the sauce. Once the sausage is done cooking, remove it from the pan and place to the side. Leave the grease in the pan, then add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent (about 3 minutes). Next, add the crushed tomatoes, salt, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and give it a good stir. Slice the sausage into 1/2 inch thick pieces,place back in the pan, then let it simmer.
Cook the pasta. Heat up a large pot of salted water to a roaring boil. Add the pasta and cook it for 2 minutes under the al dente cooking time. Save 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta.
Toss the pasta in the sauce. Add the pasta to the sauce and mix well. Turn the heat to medium heat and add the pasta water as needed to maintain a good sauce consistency. Add the sliced peppers and olives, then cook for 5 minutes.
Serve. Top this delicious dish with parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes! Mangia!