Sausage and Peppers Pasta

My old school Italian husband loves sausage and peppers.  I make it on the grill and he eats it piled high on Italian bread or rolls.  He's been craving it.  But, since my ankle surgery, I can't get outside and up the steps to our deck (where the grill lives).  So, I decided to make a pasta dish that has all the flavors he loves, but I can sit in my wheelchair and cook it on the stove top.  It turned out great and he ate two huge platefuls!

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS PASTA

2 links Italian sausage (I used sweet, but you can use mild or hot, whatever you like)
2 TBS oil
1 (12 oz) box Penne pasta (I used the smart pasta with extra fiber)
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can Italian stewed tomatoes (with basil, oregano and garlic added)
1/2 can water
salt/pepper
grated parmesan cheese

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil.  Remove sausage from casings (I cut it all the way down and squeeze the sausage out).  Crumble the sausage into the skillet and brown, stirring occasionally.  Add chopped onion, bell pepper and garlic.  Cook until softened.

Zip the stewed tomatoes in the blender to make a sauce (not necessary, but my bunch doesn't like big chunks of tomatoes).  Add the tomatoes to the skillet.  Then fill the tomato can half way with water.  Add to the skillet.  Scrape the bottom of the skillet to get up all the sausage bits that stuck to the bottom (big time flavor!).  Salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer.

Let it simmer for about 10-20 minutes.  I cook the pasta while it's simmering.  Don't over cook the pasta, because it will finish cooking once it's mixed with the sauce.

You want the sauce to reduce and thicken up.

Once it has thickened, add the cooked, drained pasta and stir to combine.

Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

So, there you have it.  It's an easy, delicious way to get the flavor of sausage and peppers any time of year and right on your stove top.  Enjoy!