The 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With Italian sausage, garlic, onions, red bell peppers, and penne pasta in a savory tomato-based sauce, this meal is both hearty and comforting. It’s a great option for the whole family, and you’ll love every bite of this easy-to-make pasta recipe.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 package Italian sausage (5 or 6 sausages)
• 1 lb (450g) penne pasta
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
• 4 large ripe tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons crushed tomato
• 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed chili pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed in a mortar
• 1 scallion, sliced, for garnish
• Fresh chopped basil, for garnish

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat a bit of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until browned on all sides. If needed, add 1/4 cup (60ml) of water to prevent the sausages from burning. Once almost cooked, transfer sausages to a cutting board.
3. In the same skillet (keeping the brown bits), add 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté onions, fennel seeds, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Add garlic and crushed tomato, and cook for a couple of minutes. Add bell peppers and diced tomatoes, cooking until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the broth and cook for another minute. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Slice sausages into 1/4 or 1/2-inch pieces and return to the skillet. Cook for 5-10 minutes until sausages are fully cooked and the sauce thickens.
5. Add the pasta to the skillet and heat for a couple of minutes, stirring gently to coat with the sauce. Garnish with basil, scallions, and shaved parmesan. Enjoy!

Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~550-650 kcal
• Protein: ~25-30g
• Carbohydrates: ~60-70g
• Fat: ~20-25g
• Saturated Fat: ~6-8g
• Fiber: ~5-7g
• Sugar: ~8-10g
• Sodium: ~800-1000mg (varies based on sausage and broth used)

The Convenience of Quick Meals

In today’s fast-paced world, time is often a luxury, and making home-cooked meals can sometimes feel like a daunting task. However, the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet proves that you don’t have to compromise on flavor or quality for the sake of convenience. This dish allows you to prepare a wholesome meal in just about 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy families or anyone looking for a quick dinner option after a hectic day. By using basic ingredients that are readily available, you can create a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

The Key Ingredients and Their Flavor Profile

The key to the success of this recipe lies in its carefully selected ingredients. Italian sausage serves as the flavorful base of the dish, adding richness and depth with every bite. This savory sausage, when browned, releases oils that flavor the entire dish, setting the stage for a perfectly balanced sauce. Garlic and onions are sautéed to bring out their natural sweetness and aroma, while the red bell peppers provide a fresh, crisp contrast. The tomatoes, both diced and crushed, form the tomato-based sauce that envelops the pasta and sausage, making the dish juicy and flavorful.

The addition of fennel seeds, crushed chili flakes, and Italian seasoning brings a touch of spice and warmth to the dish. Fennel seeds add a subtle anise-like flavor that complements the savory sausage, while the chili flakes provide just enough heat to elevate the overall taste profile. Italian seasoning ties everything together, giving the dish a quintessential Mediterranean flavor. The final touch of fresh basil and scallions not only adds color but also brings a burst of freshness to the finished dish.

Healthier Yet Flavorful

While this meal is indulgent in its flavors, it doesn’t sacrifice healthfulness. Packed with lean protein from the sausage, fiber from the vegetables, and complex carbohydrates from the pasta, the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet offers a balanced meal that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. The vegetables contribute essential vitamins and antioxidants, while the crushed tomatoes bring a dose of lycopene, an important antioxidant known for its health benefits.

The dish is also highly customizable, allowing you to add more vegetables or swap ingredients based on your dietary preferences. For instance, you can use whole-wheat pasta for added fiber or opt for a lower-fat sausage to reduce the overall fat content. With just the right balance of healthy and indulgent ingredients, this meal hits all the marks when it comes to taste and nutrition.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for Busy Weeknights

One of the most compelling reasons to make the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet is its speed and simplicity. The entire meal can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when time is limited. The one-pan nature of the dish means that there is minimal cleanup involved, allowing you to spend more time with your family or enjoying your evening rather than washing dishes.

Moreover, the recipe is highly adaptable to what you already have on hand. If you don’t have penne pasta, you can easily substitute another type of pasta, like rigatoni or farfalle. The sausage can also be swapped for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or even a vegetarian sausage if you prefer a meatless meal. This versatility makes it a go-to recipe for a variety of tastes and dietary needs.

Perfect for Leftovers

Another benefit of this dish is its ability to store well as leftovers. The flavors continue to meld together as the pasta sits in the sauce, making it even more delicious the next day. Whether you’re preparing it for lunch or reheating it for another quick dinner, the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet is a great option for meal prepping. Simply store the leftover pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days.

If you prefer to freeze the leftovers, the dish can be frozen for up to two months. When reheating, you may need to add a little extra broth or water to loosen the sauce, but the taste will remain as rich and satisfying as when it was first made.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

While the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet is a meal in itself, you can pair it with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded dinner. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pasta. If you’re craving more vegetables, roasted or sautéed greens like spinach or kale are a great addition. For a touch of crunch, consider serving the pasta with some garlic bread or a warm baguette on the side to soak up any leftover sauce.

Conclusion: A Must-Try Recipe for the Whole Family

In conclusion, the 20-Minute Sausage Pasta Skillet is the perfect dish for those seeking a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal. It combines the richness of Italian sausage with the freshness of vegetables, creating a balanced dish that the whole family will enjoy. The simplicity of the recipe, along with its versatility, makes it an excellent choice for busy weeknights. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just need something fast and satisfying, this pasta skillet is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.