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Savory Italian sausage tossed with pasta in a rich tomato sauce makes a quick, hearty family dinner. Loaded with protein and full of robust Italian-American flavor, it's a weeknight staple.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10-11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Squeeze the sausage out of the casing (if necessary) and crumble it into the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring and breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Adjust the heat to medium-high if needed to promote browning.
Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and peppers have softened slightly.
Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices and prevent garlic from burning.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to combine with the sauce and sausage. If the mixture is too thick, add some reserved pasta water until the desired saucy texture is reached. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or grated parmesan if desired.
