If you’re craving a comforting, flavorful dish that tastes like a warm hug, you’ve got to try this Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe. I absolutely love how all the colors from the peppers blend with the juicy sausage and tender onions while filling your kitchen with the best aroma. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, this skillet meal always wins hearts—and it’s super simple to make, too. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything so your meal turns out just right every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these on hand, making this meal super accessible anytime.
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup since everything cooks together in one skillet.
- Flavor Explosion: The blend of spices, sausage, and fresh peppers creates bold, balanced flavors.
- Versatile Meal: Perfect as a hearty skillet dinner, sandwich filling, or a topping for pasta and rice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All these ingredients come together beautifully for that classic Italian sausage and peppers flavor. One trick I’ve learned is to pick colorful bell peppers and a quality Italian sausage, because they really make a difference in the end taste.
- Italian Sausage: Choose sweet or spicy depending on your spice preference; I love Premio brand—it has great flavor and cooks evenly.
- Red, Green, and Yellow Bell Peppers: Using all three adds vibrant color and a mix of sweetness and freshness.
- Sweet Onions: I like mixing red and vidalia onions for subtle sweetness and a little bite.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh is best here to really bring out that punchy aroma.
- Olive Oil: Use good quality; it helps caramelize veggies and sausage beautifully.
- Oregano and Dry Basil: Essential Italian herbs that bring authentic flavor.
- Crushed Red Peppers: Adds a nice kick; feel free to skip if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Idaho Potatoes: Adds heartiness—slice and halve them for even cooking.
- Vegetable Oil: For frying the potatoes to get that golden crispness.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste; I usually start with about a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of pepper, then adjust as needed.
- Crusty Rolls (Optional): For making awesome sandwiches—wheat hoagie or Hawaiian rolls are my go-to favorites.
Variations
I love how versatile this recipe is—you can easily tweak it to fit your mood or what’s in your pantry. Feel free to play around with the spice levels or even swap in veggies you love!
- Switch Up the Sausage: I once tried turkey Italian sausage for a lighter version, and it was surprisingly delicious and just as flavorful.
- Add Mushrooms: When I want extra earthiness, I toss in sliced cremini mushrooms—they soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Just skip the rolls and serve over rice or polenta for a hearty GF meal.
- Spice it Up: Throw in some hot cherry peppers or extra crushed red pepper flakes if you like it fiery.
How to Make Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Potatoes
Start by slicing your bell peppers into thin strips and cutting the onions into wide slices. For the potatoes, slice them and then halve those slices for faster, even cooking. Setting everything up beforehand makes the actual cooking process way smoother!
Step 2: Fry the Potatoes
Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the potatoes. Cook them until golden brown and crispy, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. When I first made this, I almost skipped this step, but the crispy potatoes add such a lovely texture contrast, you don’t want to miss it.
Step 3: Brown the Sausage
In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausages whole and brown them on all sides until nicely caramelized. This usually takes about 10 minutes. You can slice the sausages after browning or cook them whole and slice later—both work great.
Step 4: Sauté Peppers, Onions & Garlic
In the same pan you used for the sausage (remove excess fat if needed), toss in the sliced peppers and onions. Cook over medium heat until soft and slightly caramelized, around 10 minutes. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute to keep it from burning. The smell at this stage is unbeatable, trust me!
Step 5: Combine Everything with Seasonings
Slice the browned sausages if you haven’t already. Add them back into the pepper and onion skillet along with the crispy potatoes. Sprinkle oregano, basil, crushed red peppers, salt, and pepper evenly over the mixture. Stir gently and let everything meld together on low heat for about 10-15 minutes. This lets the flavors really sink in.
Pro Tips for Making Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe
- Don’t Rush the Potatoes: Give them enough time to crisp up—they add fantastic texture and heartiness.
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet: It holds heat evenly, which helps caramelize the sausage and veggies perfectly.
- Balance Your Spice: If you’re unsure about spice, start with half the crushed red pepper and add more when serving.
- Avoid Overcrowding: If your skillet is too crowded, the veggies steam instead of sauté, losing that nice caramelization.
How to Serve Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dish with fresh chopped parsley or basil—it adds a burst of color and fresh flavor that brightens up every bite. A sprinkle of shaved Parmesan cheese is another favorite of mine when I want a little more indulgence.
Side Dishes
This skillet shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some garlicky sautéed spinach. When we have extra time, I serve it with creamy polenta or buttered pasta—both soak up the flavors so well.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like to offer the sausage and peppers alongside crusty hoagie rolls for DIY sandwiches—guests love building their own. Hosting a cozy dinner? Serve it over a bed of soft risotto and top with freshly torn basil for an elevated presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually pop leftover Italian Sausage and Peppers into an airtight container and refrigerate them right away. It keeps well for up to 4 days, and I find the flavors actually deepen after a day or two—perfect for an easy lunch or quick dinner.
Freezing
If I make a big batch, I freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready to enjoy, I recommend thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating so the texture stays nice and the flavors stay bright.
Reheating
For reheating, gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. I try to avoid microwaving because it sometimes dries the sausage or makes the potatoes a bit mushy—but when in a pinch, it works fine too.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of sausage in this recipe?
Absolutely! While Italian sausage delivers authentic flavor, you can substitute with bratwurst, chorizo, or even chicken sausage depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly based on the sausage type and size.
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Is this recipe spicy?
You control the spice level by adjusting the amount of crushed red pepper flakes and by choosing sweet or spicy Italian sausage. I recommend starting with less spice and adding more as needed, especially if you’re serving kids or spice-sensitive guests.
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Can I skip the potatoes?
Yes, you can omit the potatoes if you want a lighter dish or are watching carbs. The recipe is still delicious with just the sausage, peppers, and onions, but the potatoes add great texture and make the meal more filling.
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How long can I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 2 months for the best flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen when I want something tasty without fuss. There’s something so satisfying about the combination of tender sausage, sweet peppers, caramelized onions, and crispy potatoes. Whenever I make it, my family goes crazy for those comforting, homey flavors. I hope you give it a try and come to enjoy it just as much—I’ll bet this will be your next trusty weeknight favorite too!
Print
Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 80 min
- Total Time: 90 min
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A classic, flavorful Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe featuring sweet or spicy Italian sausage cooked with colorful bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. This hearty dish is perfect served on crusty rolls or alongside pasta, rice, or a fresh salad, making it a comforting weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 lb sweet or spicy Italian Premio sausage (or your favorite sausage)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium sweet onions (such as red and vidalia), sliced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil (add more as needed)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dry basil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
- Salt for taste (about 1 tsp)
- Pepper for taste (about 1/2 tsp)
Potatoes
- 2 Idaho potatoes, sliced then halved
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Optional
- Your choice of crusty rolls (such as wheat hoagie rolls or Hawaiian rolls)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Wash and slice the bell peppers into strips. Slice the onions into rings or half-moons. Mince the garlic finely. Slice the Idaho potatoes and then halve the slices for even cooking.
- Cook the potatoes: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced and halved potatoes in a single layer. Fry them until golden and tender, about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning. Remove potatoes and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausages whole and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the sausages and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté over medium heat until they start to soften, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, dry basil, crushed red peppers, salt, and pepper, cooking for an additional 2 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Simmer sausages with peppers and onions: Slice the browned sausages into bite-sized pieces or leave whole as preferred. Return the sausages and fried potatoes to the skillet with the peppers and onions. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cook together to develop flavors: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer together for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and help flavors blend.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot on their own or with your favorite crusty rolls such as hoagie or Hawaiian rolls for sandwiches. Enjoy alongside salad, pasta, or rice.
Notes
- This recipe is super easy and great for a flavorful family meal.
- Perfect to serve large portions for gatherings or meal prep.
- Try adding this as an easy topping for salads, pastas, or rice dishes.
- The combination of sweet and spicy sausage with the colorful bell peppers creates a deliciously balanced dish.
- Using different types of onions brings added sweetness and depth.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated, making it an excellent weeknight dinner.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper quantity to control spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
