Description
Easy Sausage, Peppers, and Onions is a hearty, flavorful one-pan dinner featuring juicy Italian chicken or turkey sausages, tender bell peppers, sweet onions, garlic, and a rich tomato sauce. Seasoned with oregano and optional red pepper flakes, this comforting Italian-American dish is packed with savory flavor and simple ingredients. Ready in just 50 minutes, it is perfect for busy weeknight dinners, family meals, and meal preparation. Serve it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or inside toasted sandwich buns for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 Italian chicken or turkey sausage links
1 large yellow onion, sliced into ¼-inch half-moons
1 green bell pepper, sliced into 3-inch strips
1 red bell pepper, sliced into 3-inch strips
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced into 3-inch strips
4 garlic cloves, sliced into slivers
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausages: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian chicken or turkey sausage links and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides. Avoid excessively high heat to prevent burning. Once browned, remove the sausages from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Peppers and Onions: Increase the heat to high and add the sliced yellow onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and yellow or orange bell pepper to the same skillet. Toss the vegetables in the remaining oil and cook until they begin to soften and develop lightly charred edges. Sprinkle with a little salt to help release moisture.
- Add the Garlic: Stir the sliced garlic into the sautéed vegetables and cook for approximately 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Avoid burning the garlic.
- Deglaze the Skillet: Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pan, releasing the flavorful browned bits left from cooking the sausages and vegetables. Allow the broth to simmer until reduced by approximately half.
- Add the Tomatoes and Seasonings: Return the browned sausages to the skillet. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir gently to combine the ingredients and coat the sausages with the tomato sauce.
- Simmer Until Tender: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the peppers and onions are tender and the sausages are fully cooked. Check that the thickest part of each chicken or turkey sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust the Sauce: Taste the tomato sauce and add more salt if needed. If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and simmer for a few additional minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of broth.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the sausages, peppers, onions, and tomato sauce to serving plates. Serve hot over fluffy rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or inside toasted sandwich buns for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
Use Italian chicken or turkey sausages for a flavorful, protein-rich dinner.
Chicken and turkey sausages can be used interchangeably depending on personal preference and availability.
Choose a combination of green, red, and yellow or orange bell peppers for a balance of sweetness, mild bitterness, and vibrant color.
Slice the peppers into approximately 3-inch strips and the onions into ¼-inch half-moons for even cooking.
Brown the sausages over medium heat before adding them to the sauce to develop a flavorful golden exterior.
Use the same skillet for the sausages and vegetables to preserve the savory browned bits and reduce cleanup.
Avoid burning the garlic by adding it after the peppers and onions have begun to soften.
Deglaze the skillet with chicken or vegetable broth to incorporate the browned bits into the sauce.
Simmer the sausages in the tomato sauce for approximately 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
Always cook chicken or turkey sausages to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
For a spicy version, increase the red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian chicken sausage.
For an oven-roasted variation, roast the sausages, peppers, and onions until caramelized, then combine them with the tomato sauce and finish cooking until the sausages are fully done.
For Sausage and Peppers Pasta, toss the finished sausage mixture with cooked penne, spaghetti, or another favorite pasta.
For a low-carb version, serve the sausages and vegetables over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
For extra vegetables, add sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or fresh spinach to the skillet.
For a tomato-free variation, omit the crushed tomatoes and add a little extra broth to create a lighter sausage and pepper skillet.
For a thicker tomato sauce, remove the skillet lid during the final few minutes of cooking and allow the liquid to reduce gently.
Serve with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or toasted sandwich buns.
For a gluten-free meal, choose certified gluten-free sausages and broth and pair the dish with gluten-free sides.
This recipe can be prepared ahead of time, and the flavors may become even richer after resting in the refrigerator.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate leftovers promptly after allowing the dish to cool slightly.
Freeze cooled individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2–3 months for the best quality.
Thaw frozen leftovers overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat leftovers in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Heat leftovers thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
This recipe makes 4 servings and is ideal for easy weeknight dinners and meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Quick Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
