If you need a dinner that’s both filling and easy to pull together, this pasta with Italian sausage and vegetables is a solid choice. It combines savory sausage with fresh vegetables like peppers and onions, all tossed with pasta for a balanced, flavorful dish. The ingredients cook together in one pan, creating a meal that’s rich without being overly heavy. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something homemade that doesn’t take a lot of time or effort.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces hot Italian sausage

• 8 ounces mild Italian sausage

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 1 small red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 large zucchini, sliced

• 1 small eggplant, peeled, chopped

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 (16-ounce) can chopped tomatoes

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 12 ounces bow tie or corkscrew pasta, cooked

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

To Prepare:

Step 1: Remove the casings from the sausage and crumble. 

Step 2: Brown the sausage in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Drain and set aside the sausage; wipe out the skillet.
Step 3: Saute the onion, red pepper, zucchini and eggplant in heated olive oil in the skillet for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender-crisp.  Add the tomatoes and basil.
Step 4: Simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir in the parsley and sausage.  Add the pasta; toss to coat well.
Step 5: Spoon into a serving bowl; sprinkle with the cheese.

Serves: 5

This pasta dish is a great example of how simple ingredients can create bold, satisfying flavor. It’s quick, versatile, and easy to adapt with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Once you try it, it’s likely to become a reliable go-to for busy weeknights.