Pasta Presto

This is one of our all time favorite special dinners! It works especially good for guests when you want to make something simple and yet delicious and appealing to all tastes. I would not consider it to be the most frugal of dishes, but it is one that you can definitely cut back on the amount of meat to suit your tastes and budget!

My sister-in-law sent me the original recipe a long while ago and it has been passed around so much since among family and friends. At every event I have served it there are more requests for the recipe.

1 package (16 ounces) brown rice penne pasta (preferred due to the low amount of phytates over other whole grain pastas, unless sprouted)
2 teaspoon olive or coconut oil (coconut is best over high heat)
4-5 cups (1/4 inch thick) sliced red bell pepper (approx. 4 large bell peppers), each cut in half crosswise (I have also used various colored bell peppers in combination together with great results!)
1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
16 ounces Italian sausage (I love this with chicken Italian sausage from our local Trader Joe’s – delicious! I usually get by just fine with 1/2 pound)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (about 1, 5-6 oz small container) crumbled feta cheese
1 (15 oz can) black olives, sliced (or kalamata, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Undercooking is best, as it will continue cooking when you add to the other ingredients.

Saute the bell peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt for 2 minutes in olive or coconut oil. Remove casings, if necessary, from the sausage. Add sausage, oregano, and garlic to pan; cook for 4 minutes until sausage is done; stirring to crumble. Add pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cheese, olives, and black pepper; cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Enjoy! Especially great as leftovers!

Adapted originally from a Cooking Light recipe.

About Lindsay

Lindsay Edmonds is first a lover of Jesus, wife, mother of four, homemaker, and writer. She loves inspiring women around the world toward simple, natural, and intentional living for the glory of God.

12 Responses to Pasta Presto

  1. Melissa Rank January 27, 2013 at 9:36 am #

    I’m looking forward to making this this week when our guests come over. Do you serve it with salad?

  2. claudia June 4, 2012 at 11:26 am #

    thank you, I am glad this is available here in germany

  3. Claudia May 30, 2012 at 3:36 am #

    I´d love to make this pasta!! but could you tell me what italian sausage is…? is it some sort of ground meet?

    • Lindsay May 30, 2012 at 12:53 pm #

      It is a seasoned ground pork, chicken or beef. You can find recipes for seasoning it yourself online, or you can buy it already seasoning as Italian sausage in the store.

  4. Aimee December 17, 2011 at 6:58 pm #

    Have you ever made this in advance to serve at an event? We’re hosting several large families for a Christmas party, and I’d love to be able to make this a couple of hours early… Am wondering how it would fare if I were to just keep it in covered casseroles in a warm oven. Would appreciate any advice!

    • Lindsay December 18, 2011 at 3:09 pm #

      I’ve made this for large crowds on numerous occasions (in fact, it’s probably my favorite hospitality meal). As with any pasta dish, it is best to serve hot immediately. It will stay warm in a covered pot for awhile (I wouldn’t attempt if for longer than an hour or it might get dried out), but I would not attempt re-heating it or the pasta will start to fall apart from too much mixing and the cheese will melt as well.

  5. Katie March 29, 2010 at 5:39 pm #

    Wow, this was really good! Thanks for sharing! My husband also loved it! I have added you to my blogroll- I have really enjoyed your blog- thanks!
    Katie

  6. Jamie Ervin February 17, 2010 at 2:43 pm #

    And it’s gluten free this way! Yum!

  7. Tammy October 9, 2008 at 6:54 pm #

    Looks yummy!! Thanks for sharing! :)

  8. Mrs. Paradis October 7, 2008 at 2:14 pm #

    I am going to make this.My husband loves all those ingredients.

    Thanks for posting it.

  9. M.I.A in Minnesota October 7, 2008 at 11:13 am #

    This pasta dish looks really good. My family and I don’t like what peppers do to our systems though. Do you have any suggestions for substituting them?

  10. Sherry October 7, 2008 at 3:21 am #

    This sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing!