Description
This Sausage and Peppers recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring Italian pork sausage cooked with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a savory tomato sauce. Perfectly balanced with aromatic garlic, Italian seasoning, and a touch of fresh basil, it’s an easy stovetop meal that delivers comforting, rustic Italian flavors in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 large red, orange, or yellow bell peppers, or a combination (1 1/2 pounds total)
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
Meat
- 1 pound raw mild or hot Italian pork sausage links
Pantry Items
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup water
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Trim and thinly slice 3 large bell peppers to make about 5 cups. Thinly slice 1 medium yellow onion to yield about 1 1/2 cups. Thinly slice 3 garlic cloves. These fresh ingredients will build the base flavor of the dish.
- Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound Italian pork sausage links in a single layer and cook, turning halfway through, until browned on both sides, about 7 to 10 minutes total. Transfer sausage to a cutting board or plate. Note that sausage is not fully cooked at this point.
- Sauté Peppers and Onions: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Add the sliced peppers, onion, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and peppers slightly softened, approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut browned sausage crosswise on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces for even cooking and presentation.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in sliced garlic, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste darkens in color, about 2 minutes, developing a deeper flavor.
- Combine Tomatoes and Sausage: Add the can of diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup water to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for added richness. Return the sausage pieces and any accumulated juices to the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer to Finish: Reduce heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly, about 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired before serving. This final simmer allows the sausage to cook through and the flavors to fully develop.
Notes
- You can use mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- For a gluten-free dish, ensure the sausage used is gluten-free.
- The fresh basil garnish adds a fresh, aromatic touch but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with cooked pasta, polenta, or crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
