Dutch Oven Method
Brown Sausage & Veggies: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Add sausage (cut into 2" pieces) and brown. Remove, then sauté onions and peppers with salt and pepper until tender.
Deglaze & Simmer: Add beef stock (use 2 cups), scraping browned bits. Stir in pasta, tomatoes, spice blend, roasted garlic, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and sausage.
Cook Pasta: Simmer covered until pasta is al dente (~15 minutes). Stir in tomato paste.
Broil Cheese: Top with cheese, broil in oven 3–5 minutes until bubbly.
Skillet & Pot Method
Cook Pasta: Boil penne until 90% done. Drain and set aside.
Sauté Sausage & Veggies: In a skillet, brown sausage, then add onions and peppers. Cook until tender.
Combine: Transfer sausage, veggies, pasta, tomatoes, spice blend, garlic, and ½ cup beef stock to a large pot. Stir in tomato paste.
Bake: Top with cheese, bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. Broil to brown cheese.
Slow Cooker Method
Sauté Sausage: Brown sausage in a skillet. Transfer to slow cooker.
Add Base Ingredients: Add pasta, tomatoes, spice blend, roasted garlic, and 2 cups beef stock. Cook on high 2–3 hours.
Add Veggies & Finish: Stir in sautéed veggies and tomato paste. Cook 30 minutes. Transfer to a dish, top with cheese, and broil.
Ninja Foodi/Instant Pot Method
Sear Sausage: Use Sauté mode to brown sausage. Remove.
Cook Veggies: Sauté onions/peppers in remaining oil. Deglaze with beef stock.
Pressure Cook: Add sausage, pasta, tomatoes, garlic, spice blend, brown sugar, vinegar, and tomato paste (do not stir). Pressure cook on high 4 minutes, NPR 2 minutes.
Crisp Cheese: Stir in veggies. Top with cheese, Air Crisp at 400°F for 5 minutes.