Jun 09 2026
RestaurantsRicco's Italian BistroGhost Pepper Penne Recipe

Ghost Pepper Penne Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Italian sausage, bell peppers & ghost pepper cheddar in a spicy pink sauce

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Ingredients

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Pasta

Method

Cooking the Pasta

  1. 1

    Boil the Penne

    In a large pot of salted boiling water, add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Making the Sauce

  1. 2

    Sauté the sausage

    In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes.

  2. 3

    Add garlic and vegetables

    Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

  3. 4

    Incorporate tomatoes and cream

    Stir in the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly.

  4. 5

    Add cheese and season

    Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the ghost pepper cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

Combining Ingredients

  1. 6

    Combine pasta and sauce

    Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Mix well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Serving

  1. 7

    Garnish and serve

    Serve the Ghost Pepper Penne hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra ghost pepper cheddar cheese on top.

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