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Creamy Spicy Banana Pepper Pasta Recipe with Italian Sausage

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A comforting and flavorful pasta dish balancing creamy sauce with mild heat from banana peppers and savory Italian sausage. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) Italian sausage, removed from casing and crumbled (sweet or spicy)
  • 3–4 medium banana peppers, sliced thin (fresh or jarred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow or white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 12 ounces (340g) penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of penne and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the pan.
  3. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add sliced banana peppers and minced garlic. Cook another 3-4 minutes until peppers soften and garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Then add 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream and stir well.
  5. Reduce heat to low and add cooked sausage back to the pan. Add ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every piece in the creamy, spicy sauce. Cook together for 1-2 minutes so pasta absorbs some sauce flavor.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately, optionally with extra Parmesan.

Notes

To achieve a silkier sauce, puree half the peppers and sauce in a blender before returning it to the pan. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning, which can cause bitterness. Save some pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with almond milk or half-and-half. Use gluten-free pasta and check sausage ingredients for gluten if needed. Adjust spice by adding or omitting red pepper flakes or adding fresh chili.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana pepper pasta, creamy pasta, Italian sausage pasta, spicy pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, penne pasta recipe

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/creamy-spicy-banana-pepper-pasta-recipe-with-italian-sausage-easy-and-perfect/