Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions Recipe (Easy One-Skillet Wonder!)
There’s just something irresistible about the sound and aroma of sizzling sausages mingling with peppers and onions in the skillet. You know the sound—the gentle hiss and pop, the tantalizing fragrance wafting through the kitchen, making everyone nearby hungry immediately. And when it’s Italian sausage paired with sweet, colorful bell peppers and caramelized onions—well, let’s just say you’d better prepare for neighbors appearing out of nowhere!
I have a love for simple, flavorful, and hearty dishes—the kind that fill your kitchen with warmth and your belly with comfort. Today I’m sharing one of my all-time favorites: Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions, a delightful one-skillet meal that’s ready to devour in just about 25 minutes.
This amazing recipe isn’t only a lifesaver on a busy weeknight, but the vibrant colors and robust flavors make it a fantastic choice for weekend gatherings, football game days, or anytime you’re craving authentic Italian-American comfort food.
My Favorite Sausage Peppers and Onions Story 🍽️💕
Let me tell you a quick story. Back when I was a newbie chef working at a cozy family-run trattoria, I always admired how the aroma of cooking sausage, peppers, and onions drew customers like a magnet. On busy Saturdays, it was our tradition to make giant skillets filled with colorful veggies and juicy sausages—fun, vibrant, and impossible to resist.
One evening, after an especially exhausting dinner rush, my mentor chef, Nonna Maria, taught me her simple yet talk-of-the-town sausage peppers recipe. Her warm presence, her friendly Italian accent, and the magic of her cooking lesson stayed with me forever. To this day, every time I whip up this dish at home for my family or friends, I’m instantly transported back to that cozy little kitchen and Nonna’s wise culinary lessons.
Trust me—this dish will become one of your kitchen MVPs. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details!
What You’ll Need – Ingredients 🛒✨
This easy, colorful skillet dish relies on simple, fresh ingredients for tons of flavor:
– 2 teaspoon olive oil
– 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, your choice!)
– 1 cup sliced white onion
– 1 cup sliced red onion
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
– 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
– 1 orange bell pepper, sliced into strips
– 3 garlic cloves, sliced boldly—I love garlic!
– ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (this adds just enough kick!)
– ½ cup chicken broth (or a hearty splash of rich red wine if you’re feeling fancy!)
– 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for a pretty garnish burst)
– 2 tablespoons fresh basil (the crown jewel of Italian cooking!)
Step-by-Step Instructions – Let’s Cook! 🍳🔥
Step 1 – Brown Your Sausages
First, grab your trusty skillet and heat it on medium-high. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, swirl it around, and when the pan is hot, add the sausages. Brown beautifully for 2 minutes per side, then remove from skillet onto a cutting board. Slice sausages into bite-sized pieces and set aside (they’ll finish cooking later!).
Step 2 – Veggie Time
In the same pan, toss your sliced onions in and sauté for about 2 minutes until slightly softened. Now add your colorful sliced peppers, garlic slices, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, so they soften and get nicely caramelized.
Step 3 – Flavor Magic
Pour in your chicken broth—or if you’re feeling adventurous, red wine—and scrape those tasty brown bits from the skillet’s bottom. Those savory browned bits = FLAVOR GOLD, folks! This trick brings extra depth and deliciousness.
Step 4 – Simmer and Finish Cooking
Return the browned sausage pieces back to the pan, stir well, cover it, and turn heat to medium-low. Let everything mingle and marry beautifully for 10 minutes.
Step 5 – Final Cook & Garnish
Remove the cover, crank the heat up to medium-high, and cook for 3 more minutes to evaporate excess liquid—allowing peppers and onions to caramelize a bit further. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley and aromatic basil lightly over the top. Voila! Your skillet masterpiece awaits.
Serving Suggestions – So Many Delicious Options! 🍽️🌟
One of my favorite things about Italian sausage peppers and onions is how versatile it can be:
– Pair with fresh crusty bread to soak up all that savory pan juice (highly recommended!).
– Spoon directly into a fluffy hoagie bun for a mouthwatering sausage pepper sub like you’d find at an Italian street festival—perfect game-day food!
– Serve on top of creamy polenta or a comforting bowl of steaming-hot pasta.
– Ladle the mixture over cooked rice or quinoa for a quick, wholesome option.
Pro Tips to Perfect Your Sausage Peppers & Onions 🧑🍳💡
As your chef buddy, allow me to share some insider tips:
– Choose high-quality Italian sausages—sweet or spicy depending on your preference—and prick gently with a fork before cooking to avoid bursting.
– Using different colored bell peppers adds colorful flair, but green peppers work wonderfully too if that’s what you’ve got.
– If you love spice, amp up the red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper for more kick.
– Always scrape up flavorful brown bits in the skillet—that’s where immense flavor lives.
– Fresh basil and parsley added right before serving brightens the whole dish wonderfully.
Nutritional Information & Quick Prep Details 📊⏰
– Prep Time: 10 mins
– Cook Time: 15 mins
– Total Time: 25 mins
– Servings: 4 people
– Calories per serving: 337
– Protein: 30g | Carbohydrates: 17g | Fat: 17g
Wrapping It Up 🥘💚
There you have it, friends—my kitchen-tested, mouthwatering recipe for Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions, a simple but spectacularly tasty one-skillet wonder. Remember the best dishes not only fill your stomach; they touch your heart. I hope every time you make this colorful skillet dish, your kitchen fills with warmth, laughter, and happy bellies to match.
I’d love to hear how it went! Did you customize anything, add your own flair, or serve it another creative way? Share your kitchen adventure in the comments—I can’t wait!
Happy cooking & buon appetito, my friends! 🍽️❤️✨
Print
Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions (One-Skillet Wonder!)
There’s nothing like the sizzling aroma of sausage, peppers, and onions cooking together in a skillet—it brings everyone to the kitchen. This dish is a go-to comfort meal in our home. It’s quick, colorful, and packed with flavor, ready in just 25 minutes. Whether it’s a busy weeknight, a weekend gathering, or game day, this one always satisfies!
👇 Here’s how to make it:
📝 Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage
1 cup white onion, sliced
1 cup red onion, sliced
1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
¾ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ cup chicken broth (or red wine)
1 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp fresh basil
👩🍳 Directions
Heat oil in a skillet. Brown sausages for 2 mins per side. Remove, slice, and set aside.
Sauté onions for 2 mins. Add peppers, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 5 mins.
Add broth, scraping the bottom for flavor.
Return sausage to the skillet. Simmer covered 10 mins.
Uncover, raise heat, and cook 3 more mins until liquid evaporates.
Garnish with parsley and basil. Serve hot!
Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage
1 cup white onion, sliced
1 cup red onion, sliced
1 red, 1 yellow, and 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
¾ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ cup chicken broth (or red wine)
1 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp fresh basil
Instructions
Heat oil in a skillet. Brown sausages for 2 mins per side. Remove, slice, and set aside.
Sauté onions for 2 mins. Add peppers, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 5 mins.
Add broth, scraping the bottom for flavor.
Return sausage to the skillet. Simmer covered 10 mins.
Uncover, raise heat, and cook 3 more mins until liquid evaporates.
Garnish with parsley and basil. Serve hot!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 337 per serving
- Fat: 17g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 17g per serving
- Protein: 30g per serving