The signature flavors of summer grilled vegetables and Sweet Italian Sausage combine for a simple, full-flavored pasta dish everyone will love! Whether making Rustic Grilled Vegetable and Sausage Pasta with newly grilled or leftover grilled vegetables, it’s an easy summer recipe you’ll want to make regularly!
Can you keep a secret? I’d love to tell you I developed this recipe from a completely clean slate with full cognizance of my plan. I’d be fibbing. I do find sometimes the best recipes are created out of unconscious serendipity and such is the case for this delicious Grilled Vegetable & Sausage Pasta recipe.
When I first created this we had a friend visit us for the July 4th weekend. It was an action packed visit embedding into the Boulder lifestyle including off beat tours, restaurant visits for meals out, shopping, movie-going, walks and of course cooking and grilling at home.
For one of our meals my husband grilled marinated chicken breasts and vegetables despite being still full from the Spicy Green Papaya Salad I’d made for lunch (as well as some freshly made Sesame Balls we’d picked up at my favorite local Asian grocery store). We nibbled away at dinner and the rest was relegated to leftovers.
When I was next making dinner, the grilled vegetables begged to be incorporated into a dish. I love grilled vegetables, especially onions. I love the caramelization and smoky flavors that wrap around the fresh seasonal flavors. It had been a very busy, hot day with a lot of pool time that had turned chilly, and rainy.
Pasta sounded good to all, which is when I decided to incorporate the vegetables into the sauce base. A simple whirl in the food processor and they were married with Marinara and other seasonings to become a full-flavored sauce.
At the time, part of the method to my madness was to creep below the kid radar with my recipe. My kids did eat vegetables but somehow I was unsure on how they’d take to pulverized grilled vegetables in the sauce. They were none the wiser and heartily ate multiple portions.
Now I will gladly grill vegetables purposely to make this sauce. The grilling adds a depth of flavor regular vegetables lack making this a summery dish and simple to make as well (my favorite kind!).
Grilled Vegetable & Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons (plus extra for brushing vegetables) Olive Oil
- 1 medium White Onion , sliced in ½ inch slices
- 1 medium Red Onion , sliced in ½ inch slices
- 1 medium Zucchini (approximately 8 inches long, 2 inches diameter), sliced in ½ inch slices
- 1 pound loose Sweet Italian Sausage
- 32 ounces Marinara Sauce
- ¼ cup Red Wine
- 1 package Pasta (Elbow, Penne or Fusilli); gluten-free or regular*
Instructions
- Heat grill to 350 degrees. When hot brush grill clean. Brush both sides of vegetables with olive oil. Grill until each side had grill marks and the vegetables are cooked (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Bring water for pasta to a boil and cook pasta per package instructions. Proceed with the sauce recipe; draining and rinsing (if package calls for) pasta when finished cooking. Toss with 2 teaspoons-1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Place grilled vegetables in a food processor and pulse into a thick, rustic puree.
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add 2 teaspoons olive oil. Once heated add the crumbled sausage and cook until browned. Add pureed vegetables and red wine. Stir frequently until the red wine has evaporated and been absorbed.
- Add the marinara sauce; still to combine. Lower heat to low and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. When done, mix into pasta or serve on top of the pasta as preferred.
Recipe Notes
*I used Tinkyada gluten-free Elbow pasta as shown here.
Ash- foodfashionparty says
your secret’s safe and I love grilling vegetables for pasta too. This looks so delicious and it’s gluten free..perfect.
kita says
Can I come visit and get the tour de Boulder style? Really I just want to nibble on everything all day too. Including this… it sounds dreamy. (Love me some grill flavors)
Susan says
This sounds wonderful. And since I don’t have kids, I think I’d like it with at least some of the veggies left in a more sold form. I just had grilled zucchini today for lunch at Ruby Tuesday, and it was amazing. So I’m looking forward to grilled vegetables (I’ll have to learn how to use the grill, because I’m not sure my husband, the griller, would do veggies…)
Rosey says
This looks nice and hearty. That’s just the kind of meal I like to serve the fam. They love pasta.
Heather Lawrence says
Yummy , I love using fresh veggies in my pasta sauce.
We were spoiled with home made noodles when we were on vacation and I am forever ruined for dry pasta. LOL!! This sauce would be perfect with those noodles. I am drooling already!
Toni Dash says
I just learned of a local place that makes/sells freshly made pasta, gluten-free included. I can’t wait to try it, completely agreeing with you!
Lisa Jones says
Looks so delicious everyone in my family loves sausage this is a no brainer i will be making for them thank you!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That sounds fantastically delicious! I love grilled and/or roasted veggies in my sauces and other recipes.
Tamara says
My husband grills vegetables a lot and I think they’re so versatile. I love how this recipe came to be and I’d love to try it!
carissa garabedian says
I love the zucchini addition and the flavors are a perfect compliment ! Your pics are beautiful and kudos for sharing the gluten free pasta name and ideas. I am going to try this during the week. I cannot wait. Thanks
Val says
What a delicious meal to cook up for the family! Appreciate you sharing this a veggie and sausage mix with pasta is just what a cool, gloomy day needs!
Jeanine says
This looks delicious! we are always looking for new meals to make during the busy summer weeks and this one looks like one to add to the list!
Marcie W. says
I just love the way you dressed up this classic comforting dish. The sausage would be a nice change from the typical grass fed beef we include.
Veronica says
I guess it must be dinner time. My mouth is watering after reading your post
Joann says
What a great pasta recipe and we can never have to many of these! I would omit the sausage since I’m a vegetarian but the rest of it sounds delicious.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I like the way you made the pasta sauce to include veggies. It does make the dish healthier. I have not tried using sausage but I guess your recipe is so good I might just as well make it this way next time we have pasta for dinner.
Liz Mays says
Oh wow, this sounds like the best pasta. I think this would be a great date night recipe for my boyfriend and I to make.
felicia says
This looks like a delicious meal idea! I have really been wanting to try a new pasta dish.
Kerri says
I am hungry just looking at your pictures. This looks like such a delicious meal. I have to make it!
Melisasource says
This pasta sounds absolutely amazing!! I cant wait to try it and add the recipe to the family cookbook.
Nikki Wayne says
Oh, my son will love this recipe! He likes pasta dishes so much and he is asking if I can cook him one.
Katherine G says
This dish looks so delicious! I would love to give it a try. You did a great job!
Toni Dash says
So glad you love it Katherine!
Monica says
This sounds amazing! And inspiring to be a bit more adventurous with grilled veggies.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This plate looks delicious! I really like a good pasta recipe.
Kita Bryant says
This looks amazing! I love that you used two different onions. People don’t realize the flavor is different!
Mary Edwards says
This looks delicious. And I love how easy it is to throw together. I need quick and easy
Nicole Escat says
I love this recipe! Makes me want to cook it today, my son will surely love this one.
Rosey says
Outside of a select few, my son really doesn’t like to eat veggies. This would help solve that problem.
Toni Dash says
It’s pretty perfect for that. And since the vegetables are grilled the sauce doesn’t taste vegetable-y! No clues!
Robin Rue says
I am a huge pasta fan. I am always looking for new flavors and ways to shake it up and this looks amazing.
Toni says
Oh my goodness this looks delish. I am going to have to make this one night with my homemade pasta sauce.