Olive Garden Grilled Sausage and Peppers Rustica

This easy Olive Garden Grilled Sausage and Peppers Rustica is a flavorful and comforting pasta dish! It’s made with penne, juicy Italian sausage, and sautéed bell peppers and onions, all mixed in a rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. A quick and delicious meal that’s perfect for any night!

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Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 pound Italian Sausage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 sliced bell peppers 
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 26 ounces of marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

How To Make Grilled Sausage and Peppers Rustica?

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta as directed on the package, then drain and place in a large serving dish.
2. Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sausage pieces and cook until browned, then remove them from the pan.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan. Add the sliced bell peppers, onions, and salt, then stir and cook until the onions turn soft and the peppers are tender.
4. Combine Everything: Return the cooked sausage to the pan, add red pepper flakes, and stir well.
5. Add the Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and mix. Let it heat through, then add ½ cup of shredded mozzarella and stir until melted.
6. Assemble and Serve: Pour the sausage and sauce mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle extra mozzarella on top if desired, then serve warm.

Recipe Tips:

• Cook Pasta Al Dente: Boil the penne until it’s slightly firm (al dente) because it will absorb some sauce later. Overcooked pasta can turn mushy.
• Brown the Sausage Well: Let the sausage cook until it’s golden brown. This adds deep flavor to the dish. If the pan gets dry, add a tiny splash of oil instead of removing the sausage too soon.
• Slice Vegetables Evenly: Cut the bell peppers and onions into similar-sized slices so they cook evenly. If cut too thin, they will turn mushy instead of staying slightly crisp.
• Warm the Marinara Sauce Properly: Let the sauce heat slowly with the sausage and vegetables for a few minutes. This blends all the flavors and makes the sauce taste richer.
• Melt Cheese at the Right Time: Stir in mozzarella when the sauce is hot but not boiling. This helps it melt smoothly into the sauce instead of becoming stringy or clumpy.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let Sausage and pepper rustica cool down first. Then, put it in a sealed container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: After cooling, place it in a freezer-safe container with some space left inside. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Heat in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or marinara sauce if needed to keep it from drying out.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 968 kcal
• Total Fat: 46g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Cholesterol: 92mg
• Sodium: 2141mg
• Potassium: 1320mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 102g
• Dietary Fiber: 8g
• Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 36g