Perfect Spicy Sausage Pasta Salad
Dive into bold flavors with this Perfect Spicy Sausage Pasta Salad—a vibrant and hearty dish that’s perfect for everything from casual picnics to meal prep. Featuring al dente penne pasta tossed with savory crumbled spicy Italian sausage, crisp bell peppers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny black olives, this salad is as colorful as it is satisfying. A zesty homemade dressing, made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, ties it all together with just the right balance of tang and heat, thanks to crushed red pepper flakes. Fresh parsley adds a pop of brightness, while optional Parmesan cheese takes this salad to the next level of indulgence. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, this pasta salad is a flavor-packed crowd-pleaser that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 8 ounces Spicy Italian sausage
- 1 large Red bell pepper
- 1 large Yellow bell pepper
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 small Red onion
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the spicy Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into small crumbles with a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Chop the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl along with the black olives and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooked pasta and sausage to the bowl of vegetables. Pour the dressing over everything and toss well to combine.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
385 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.0 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.3 g | 31% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 33 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 955 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.7 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.0 g | ||
| Protein | 15.1 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 120 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 339 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
