Red Peppers and Sausage Pasta

I found this recipe in an old magazine and still have the partial torn-out page glued on a recipe index card! 

I have since made a Scrapbook Cookbook and added this recipe.

The recipe is relatively easy to make, is pretty much foolproof, looks great, and tastes wonderful. I can almost guarantee that if you try it once you'll want to make it again.

The official name is really Penne D'Alessandria.  Penne is cylinder-shaped pasta and Alessandria is a city in Piedmont, Italy which was founded in 1168. 

So the name of the recipe Penne D'Allessandria means pasta from Alessandria. I just call it Red Peppers and Sausage Pasta because my family couldn't remember what was in Penne D'Alessandria, haha. 

Helpful Tips:

• This recipe can be doubled.
• I like serving this dish on a plate with a small spring salad, but it can be served in a bowl for a less formal dish.
• You can add different shredded aged cheeses on top as a garnish.
• Spices like oregano, parsley, or thyme should be added at the end so they have a fresh full flavor.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top for garnish
• You can substitute a jar of roasted red peppers instead of fresh (but fresh is best).
• This is also a great summer dish with the sausages and red bell peppers grilled.

Sliced Red Bell Peppers

PENNE D’ALLESSANDRIA:

RED PEPPER AND SAUSAGE PASTA

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Ingredients Needed:

2 to 3 red bell peppers, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons Olive oil 

5 to 6 Italian sausages

1 -16 ounce box Penne Pasta

2 to 3 garlic cloves, diced

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon oregano

1/8 cup parsley

1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking liquid

Parmesan cheese (or other aged shredded cheese)

Cook Italian sausages until slightly brown and done 

Now to Cook and Mix together:

Place sliced red peppers and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a shallow baking dish. Season with salt and pepper and bake on high heat, stirring once or twice until the edges of the pepper are lightly charred.

Remove peppers from the oven and set them aside.

Put sliced peppers in the oven to char the edges

Boil penne pasta until tender. Drain pasta but reserve ¼ cup of pasta cooking liquid.

While pasta is cooking, cook sausages in a large skillet until brown and done all the way through. Remove from skillet and slice.

Add mushrooms and diced garlic to the skillet the sausages were cooked in. Saute until tender. Add peppers and sausage slices to the skillet then add thyme, oregano, and parsley. Mix together.

Cook garlic, mushrooms and add sliced sausages and spices

Add noodles and water to the sausage mixture. Stir well. 

If the mixture is a little dry add a little olive oil.

Simmer 5 to 10 minutes longer. Serve warm, topped with a sprinkle of  Parmesan or other shredded aged cheese.

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Simple easy recipes are always a time saver for me when I am in the middle of a project.  Right now I'm remodeling our little camper, reupholstering the cushions, and sewing new curtains.  I hope to finish before spring and just in time for our first camping trip of the year. 

Elizabeth

Other Posts:

Lemon Ice Box Pie

Delicious Homemade Meatballs

Italian Dinner Party