Pasta with Sausage and Red Bell Pepper

Ingredients

• ·1 pound dried pasta
• ·1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ·1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• ·1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• ·3 cloves garlic, minced
• ·1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ·1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• ·1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot.

2. Step 2

   Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling with the back of a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

3. Step 3

   Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 1/2 cup of oil over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cooked sausage and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.

4. Step 4

   Add the reserved pasta water, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and parsley and bring to a boil. Toss with the cooked pasta until well combined and heated through.