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Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta Salad

A hearty and vibrant pasta salad with Italian sausage, colorful vegetables, and a zesty dressing, perfect for warm days and gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz rotini or penne pasta Any pasta shape can work.
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced Use sweet or spicy according to your preference.
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
  • 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Add them last to maintain their shape.
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil Can substitute with canola oil or avocado oil.
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar Balsamic vinegar can be used for a sweeter taste.
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • to garnish leaves fresh basil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sliced Italian sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is nicely browned and cooked through—about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. To the skillet with the browned sausage, add the sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté everything together until the vegetables are softened, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes.
Combining and Serving
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage mixture, and halved cherry tomatoes. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the pasta and mix everything well to ensure the flavors meld together.
  2. Before serving, garnish the pasta salad with fresh basil leaves. You can serve it immediately while it is warm or let it chill for a bit to enjoy it cold.
  3. Enjoy your delicious Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta Salad.

Notes

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Can be frozen for about 2 months. Reheat gently if desired, but it’s best served cold or at room temperature.