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Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta

Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta
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Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring perfectly cooked bow tie pasta tossed with savory Italian sausage, sautéed vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce, finished with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese. Quick to prepare and versatile, this meal is ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings, offering bold textures and tastes that delight both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Sausage and Pasta

  • Italian sausage (mild or spicy) – 1 pound, casings removed
  • Bow tie pasta (farfalle) – 12 ounces

Aromatics and Vegetables

  • Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
  • Onion – 1 medium, chopped
  • Bell peppers (red or yellow) – 1 cup, diced

Sauce

  • Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce – 1 can (14 oz)

Herbs, Cheese & Seasonings

  • Fresh basil or parsley – ¼ cup, chopped
  • Parmesan cheese – ½ cup, grated
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Salt – to taste
  • Black pepper – to taste
  • Optional chili flakes – ¼ teaspoon or to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Brown the Italian sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage (removed from casings if using links) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside.
  3. Sauté garlic, onions, and bell peppers: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté chopped onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes, followed by diced bell peppers. Cook until peppers soften but remain vibrant, roughly another 4 minutes.
  4. Combine and simmer: Return the sausage to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, stir gently, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to let the flavors meld. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if desired.
  5. Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked bow tie pasta directly into the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and sausage mixture. Remove from heat.
  6. Garnish and serve: Finish with a generous sprinkling of freshly chopped basil or parsley and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Choose mild or spicy Italian sausage according to your heat preference.
  • Cook pasta al dente to ensure it holds texture when mixed with sauce.
  • Use fresh herbs at the end to brighten the overall flavor.
  • Brown the sausage first and sauté veggies in the flavorful pan drippings for richer taste.
  • If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it without diluting flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based crumbles.
  • To make it cheesier, stir in mozzarella or ricotta.
  • Swap bow tie pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free varieties if desired.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage pasta, bow tie pasta recipe, easy Italian dinner, one-pot pasta, sausage pasta skillet

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/italian-sausage-bow-tie-pasta/