Italian Sausage and Elbow Pasta

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Italian sausage is something I like to keep on hand. I use it to create dinner recipes on a regular basis. I use it for many pasta dishes, including my homemade spaghetti sauce.

Ground sausage recipes are always a hit at our house and you should grab some the next time you’re at the store and keep it in your fridge or freezer.

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I love meals that come together quickly, use ingredients that I mostly already have on hand AND cost less than $10 to make for my large family.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pkg Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage (approx 1/2 pound)
  • 12 oz Barilla pasta (elbow)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced (I use jarred garlic.)
  • 2 jars of pasta sauce (I used vodka sauce.)
  • 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

I literally started with the sausage and pasta as the base and went to my fridge and pantry to create from there. Again, my goal was to use under $10 worth of ingredients and I certainly did that!

See that sweet baby bell pepper? Isn’t it adorable? Some of our friends from church grow them and sent us home with a bag full a few weeks ago when my husband went by their house to help them with something. These are so crisp and delicious!

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You know what I love about this recipe? The elbow noodles remind me so much of comfort food. It makes this recipe perfect for a cool evening when you’re searching for something that will warm you up.

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In a large pot (I used a Dutch oven) add the olive oil, garlic, onion and bell pepper.

Add the sausage and cook over a medium heat until the sausage is brown and the veggies are tender.

I love to use one of these meat choppers when I am cooking ground sausage.

While the sausage is cooking bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Add the elbow pasta and bring to a second boil for 7-9 minutes.

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While you’re waiting on the noodles to cook add in the pasta sauce.

Once the pasta is done, drain it.

Dump them in over the sauce and sausage mixture.

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Stir to mix well ensuring that all of the pasta is covered in sauce.

Plate it up (or use bowls like we did).

Top each serving with your Italian cheese blend. More or less depending on your taste.

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I love that this is protein packed and such a flavorful meal!

Remember, you can sub Italian sausage for any recipe that calls for ground beef or turkey. Try it some time!

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Italian Sausage and Elbow Pasta

A delicious family favorite pasta dish!

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage (approx 1/2 pound)
  • 12 oz Barilla pasta (elbow)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced
  • 2 jars of pasta sauce
  • 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a large pot (I used a Dutch oven) add the olive oil, garlic, onion and bell pepper.
  2. Add the sausage and cook over a medium heat until the sausage is brown and the veggies are tender.
  3. While the sausage is cooking bring a large pot of water to a boil.Add the elbow pasta and bring to a second boil for 7-9 minutes.
  4. While you’re waiting on the noodles to cook add in the pasta sauce.
  5. Once the pasta is done, drain it.Dump them in over the sauce and sausage mixture.
  6. Stir to mix well ensuring that all of the pasta is covered in sauce.T
  7. Top each serving with your Italian cheese blend. More or less depending on your taste.

9 Comments

  1. One of our families favorite dinners! So easy and it tastes delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!

  2. Love the sausage! Usually, I make a recipe similar to this with ground beef. Boy does the sausage make a difference! Same amount of cooking time, waaaay more flavor!

  3. Love the combination of veggies and the dressing recipe you have for this Italian Sausage and Elbow Pasta! Iā€™m pinning and making!Love this recipe.easy and simple .i will definitely try it.

  4. Clary Tim says:

    I make a variation of this recipe…I use a lb of hot Italian sausage and a lb of ground beef. I Brown that completely and set aside and then I add the aromatics to the meat fat, one chopped onion, 2-5 chopped garlic cloves to taste or chopped from the jar (I am not a garlic snob). You might want to drain off the fat and water at this stage with paper towel and pulling the pot to one side. Then add a jar of good quality pasta sauce, a good can 15 OZ of chopped or whole tomatoes with liquid and a small 8 0z can of tomato sauce. I ADD Italian seasoning, a half teaspoon of fennel, a half teaspoon of pepper flakes to taste, and whatever else that makes sense for the sauce. I COOK the elbow in chicken broth and I DON’T rinse it. Use butter, bacon fat or a good olive oil, lightly to keep it all from sticking, but not much. MIX it all with a cup of chopped (CUT IN SQUARES) Velveeta, mozzarella cheese and parmesan fresh, top with extra after you bake covered then cover with the extra cheese and bake til it browns some. IT’S the bomb. JUST USE IMAGINATION. Have fun! I assume the reader knows how to cook šŸ™‚

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