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Sausage, peppers and onions is an easy meal made with Italian sausages, sweet peppers and caramelized onions on the stove. Delicious comfort food perfect for weeknights or weekends!
Easy Sausage and Peppers Recipe
I think we all have a few favorite meals from when we were growing up, and Italian sausage with peppers and onions is definitely one of mine. Both my grandma and my mom made this Italian-American dish. It was usually on our Saturday night dinner menu, at least until a little mom and pop pizza place opened up near our house, and my parents decided they would rather eat out than cook on the weekends.
My dad would always purchase the sausages at this terrific little Italian deli near our home. He would also get some antipasto, rolls and whenever I went with him, a few boxes of Torrone nougat candy.
We don’t have an Italian deli near our house, but I still like to make this easy recipe for my own family. It’s an easy weeknight dinner or simple weekend meal that’s also perfect for game days. While I have several sausage and peppers recipes on this site, there is nothing like the flavors you get from simmering peppers and onions on the stovetop! My kids love it as much as I do!
Ingredients
You can find these simple ingredients in most grocery stores, or in an Italian Deli or market. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
- Sweet Italian sausages — you can use hot sausages if you like extra spice.
- Onion — Use a yellow onion or white onion
- Bell Peppers — I love a mix of yellow bell peppers, red bell peppers and orange bell peppers, as they are sweeter. You can use green bell peppers if you like, or even mini peppers will work.
- Olive oil and butter — I use a mix of oil and butter so the butter doesn’t burn
- Sea salt and black pepper — for flavor. You can also add 2 cloves minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Red pepper flakes — for a little extra heat. Leave it out for less heat.
How to make Sausage Peppers and Onions on the Stove
First, you’ll heat a little butter and olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Then, cook the onions on medium heat until they start to soften up. Stir them frequently, so they don’t burn. If you cook the meat first, the onions won’t have time to develop that gorgeous caramelization.
Next, add the pepper strips and cook with the onions until they start to get soft. If you need to add a little more olive oil, you can.
Now, place the sausages in the pan. I like to push the peppers and onions around the sausages so the sausages can brown. When the sausages are brown on one side, turn them over, and stir the pepper and onions, as well. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Turn the sausages over a few times so they cook evenly. When done, the meat should be at least 165 degrees, according to a meat thermometer. And the onions should be golden brown and caramelized.
Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
We have always made sandwiches with sausage and peppers. Just add a sausage to a hoagie roll, top with onions, peppers and a slice or 2 of mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese, and dig in. I usually don’t bother toasting the buns, but you can if you want.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. My favorite way to use up leftovers is this leftover sausage and pepper pasta.
Recipe Tip
If you need to deglaze the pan, stir in some broth, water or wine.
Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning.
If you want tomato flavor, add some marinara sauce or diced tomatoes to the pan after browning, and let the sausages simmer until done.
More Italian Sausage Recipes
If you don’t want to use your stove, you can make Italian sausages in the oven, on the Blackstone griddle, in an air fryer or in the Instant Pot. They are all equally delicious!
Sausage Peppers and Onions
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium yellow onions sliced into thin half moons
- 3 large bell peppers thinly sliced
- 5 Italian sausages mild or hot
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- optional minced garlic or garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the olive oil and butter on medium heat
- Add the onions, and cook until soft, stirring frequently
- Stir in the pepper slices, and cook until soft
- Reduce heat, add red pepper flakes, if using, and simmer until ready to serve, stirring frequently
- Push the onions and peppers to the sides of the pan, and add the sausages
- Cook until brown on both sides
- Reduce heat to medium low, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, and simmer, stirring frequently, until sausages are fully cooked and onions are golden brown and caramelized. Sausages should be 165℉, according to instant-read thermometer
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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One of my all time favorites! So easy to cook if you can’t do it on the flat top! Carmalized onions and peppers are so tasty!
Thanks, Tim! It’s one of my favorites, too!
Your Sausage Peppers and Onions look great, we would love this dish. Hope you have a very special Valentine Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Yes yes yes!! Love this. I have to make this this weekend. Grocery day is tomorrow woohoo! I’d love for you to link up with us at Throwback Thursday if you get the chance!
Thanks, Alli! I’ll stop by as soon as I can! 🙂
I can’t believe I’ve never made this! Simple, but it sounds so delicious! Already pinned so I can try it out soon 🙂
Thanks for pinning, Emily. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 🙂
YUM! This reminds me of my favorite fair food! I can’t wait to make this at home!
Yea, Thanks so much Morgan! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂