Sausage and Pepper Pasta

I made Red Beans and Rice a few days ago I just made a small portion because the boy had never had it and I didn't know if he'd like it so I had some smoked sausage left over. It's not something that I usually use in my cooking so I had to come up with something to do with it. I decided pasta sounded good. So I came up with this pasta with bell peppers, onions, smoked sausage and some mozzarella. Italian sausage would be just as good in it if you have that on hand. Really any kind of sausage would work well.

I wanted a good bite to the pasta so I used penne.  Rigatoni, medium shells or bowties would also work well, whatever you have on hand. I like to have as many shapes of pasta as possible because I'm a crazy pasta lady. I measure out my pasta by putting a serving in the bowl I'm going to use. You want to have half as much dry pasta in the bowl as you want cooked pasta to eat.  I made enough to have leftovers for lunch so I used what was left in the jar. Salt your water with about a tablespoon of salt and add a few drops of olive oil to the water and then cook according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking chop up bell peppers I had the little baby ones on hand so I used those the package comes with yellow, red and orange, but green peppers would be tasty in here if that is what you have.  Chop the onion and the sausage as well. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add about a tablespoon of olive oil add the veggies and let cook down. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste I usually do a light sprinkle across the top of the pan. Add the sausage and the fresh herbs. I happen to have fresh herbs growing outside if you don't that's totally fine the dried stuff works just as good.

Drain the pasta and add it to the pan. Stir everything together until combined. Add the pasta sauce. The amount of sauce you use is totally up to you if you want it saucier add more sauce. I'm not the biggest fan of tomato sauce so I want it very lightly coated. If you love the marinara or are looking to cut fat then stop here this is a lovely pasta. Add just the cheese if you want. I add the cream to the marinara to cut the acidity cause it messes with my stomach and gives the boy terrible heartburn. Add the cream and the mozzarella and stir to combine.

My pan here was clearly too small. Save yourself the hassle of catching pasta that falls out while you try to mix and use a bigger pan. Remember all the things have to fit in there including the pasta. Be better than me. Serve and top with parmesan. I had left over biscuits so I added one. Garlic bread would be delicious and a nice salad to help round out the meal.

Ingredients

pasta (penne)

3 small bell peppers diced in medium sized pieces

1/2 medium onion diced in medium sized pieces

salt, pepper to taste

garlic powder 

1 sprig fresh rosemary 

4 leaves basil 

1/2 smoked sausage 

marinara (approx 1 cup)

cream (approx 1/4 cup)

1/2 c shredded mozzarella