Sausage and Peppers Skillet

Sausage and Peppers Skillet is a simple, hearty dish that combines juicy Italian sausages with caramelized peppers and onions in a savory, flavorful skillet. It’s quick to make (just 30 minutes!) and only requires one pan for easy cleanup. Whether you serve it over rice, with crusty bread, or as a filling for hoagie rolls, it’s a perfect meal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot)

  • 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano

  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

  1. Cook the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages whole and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove sausages and slice into 1/2-inch coins.

  2. Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced peppers and onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly caramelized.

  3. Add garlic and seasonings: Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. Combine sausage and veggies: Return the sliced sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sausage is cooked through and all the flavors are well mixed.

  5. Serve: Enjoy hot, served over rice, with crusty bread, or on hoagie rolls for a sandwich.

Nutrients

(Per serving – approximate values)

  • Calories: 350

  • Fat: 25g (8g saturated)

  • Protein: 18g

  • Carbs: 12g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 5g

  • Sodium: 900mg

  • Cholesterol: 60mg

Why Sausage and Peppers Skillet is So Delicious

  • One-Pan Simplicity: This dish is easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. The one-pan cooking method means all the flavors blend together beautifully, and you only need a single skillet to cook everything.

  • Bold, Savory Flavors: The Italian sausage provides a juicy, savory base, while the caramelized peppers and onions add sweetness and depth. The garlic and seasonings (oregano, red pepper flakes) bring the whole dish together with warmth and flavor.

  • Quick to Make: In just 30 minutes, you can have a hearty, flavorful meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for when you need to feed a hungry crowd quickly or want to enjoy a satisfying meal on a busy evening.

  • Versatile: This dish is flexible in terms of how you serve it. You can enjoy it over rice for a comforting, filling meal, pile it on a hoagie roll for a tasty sandwich, or simply serve it with crusty bread to sop up the delicious juices.

The Key Ingredients

Let’s break down the key ingredients that make this dish so flavorful:

  • Italian Sausage: You can use sweet or hot Italian sausage depending on your preference. The sausage is browned in the skillet, creating a rich, meaty base that infuses the whole dish with flavor. It’s the star of the dish!

  • Bell Peppers: The bell peppers bring sweetness and crunch to the dish. You can use any color—green, red, yellow, or orange—for a vibrant, colorful dish. Their natural sweetness complements the savory sausage perfectly.

  • Onion: Onion adds depth and a slight sweetness as it caramelizes in the skillet, complementing the bell peppers and creating a flavorful base for the dish.

  • Garlic: Minced garlic is added to the skillet for a fragrant punch of flavor that ties the dish together. It gives the entire meal an aromatic base that enhances all the other ingredients.

  • Olive Oil: A bit of olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables and help caramelize the peppers and onions, while also providing a rich base for the sausage to cook in.

  • Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (optional) bring a lovely balance of savory, aromatic, and slightly spicy notes to the dish.

How to Make Sausage and Peppers Skillet

This dish comes together in just a few simple steps:

  1. Cook the sausage:
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the whole sausages and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the sausages from the skillet and slice them into 1/2-inch coins.

  2. Sauté the vegetables:
    In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized. This will bring out the sweetness of the peppers and onions.

  3. Add garlic and seasonings:
    Add the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir and cook for 1 minute, allowing the garlic to become fragrant.

  4. Combine sausage and vegetables:
    Return the sliced sausage to the skillet and mix everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sausage to heat through and the flavors to meld.

  5. Serve:
    Serve the sausage and peppers skillet hot. You can enjoy it over rice, with crusty bread, or on hoagie rolls for a satisfying sandwich. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

  • Hearty and Satisfying: The juicy sausage and caramelized vegetables come together to create a filling meal that’s packed with flavor. It’s satisfying on its own but can also be served with sides to make a complete meal.

  • Easy Cleanup: With only one pan required, cleanup is a breeze. Simply sauté the sausage and vegetables, and you’re done!

  • Customizable: You can tweak this recipe to suit your preferences. For example, if you like it spicier, add more red pepper flakes or use hot sausage. You can also add other veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to customize the dish further.

  • Great for Meal Prep: This dish keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days, making it a great option for meal prepping. You can make a big batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few ideas for pairing Sausage and Peppers Skillet with sides to round out the meal:

  • Over Rice: Serve it over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a complete, hearty meal. The juices from the sausage and peppers soak into the rice, making it extra flavorful.

  • Crusty Bread: A warm loaf of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce and juices from the sausage and peppers.

  • Hoagie Rolls: If you want to turn it into a sandwich, serve the sausage and peppers on a hoagie roll. Add some melted cheese on top for a more indulgent option.

  • Side Salad: Pair it with a light side salad of mixed greens, arugula, or spinach, dressed with a simple vinaigrette, for a refreshing contrast to the savory sausage.

Conclusion

Sausage and Peppers Skillet is the perfect weeknight meal that combines juicy sausage, sweet caramelized vegetables, and aromatic seasonings. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful, making it a go-to recipe for busy days when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you serve it over rice, with crusty bread, or in a sandwich, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. The best part? It’s all made in one pan, meaning you get to enjoy a delicious meal with minimal cleanup!

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