Sweet Chili BBQ Sausage Pasta Skillet with Bell Peppers and Cheese (Print version)

A saucy one-pan sausage pasta skillet with sweet chili BBQ sauce, bell peppers, and melted cheese, ready in about 35 minutes.

# Ingredients:

For the skillet

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450 g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1/4-inch coins
03 - 2 bell peppers, red and yellow, sliced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 8 oz (225 g) penne or rotini pasta
07 - 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
08 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) sweet chili sauce
09 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) smoky BBQ sauce
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Salt, to taste

For finishing

13 - 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1/2 cup (55 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage slices and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning once or twice, until browned at the edges.
02 - Add the bell peppers and red onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables look glossy and slightly softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Stir in the pasta, chicken broth, sweet chili sauce, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer.
04 - Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has thickened into a sauce.
05 - If the pasta is not tender and the pan looks dry, add 2-4 tablespoons more broth and continue cooking for a few minutes. The sauce should be glossy and loose enough to coat the pasta.
06 - Turn off the heat. Stir in the cheddar and mozzarella until melted, then let the skillet rest for 3 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
07 - Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot from the skillet while the cheese is soft and the sauce is creamy.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after the cheese melts.
02 - Use a wide skillet with a lid so the pasta cooks evenly.
03 - If using raw sausage instead of smoked sausage, cook it fully before adding pasta.

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