This easy sausage and pepper skillet recipe is a one-pan dinner packed with Italian sausage, bell peppers, and bold, delicious flavor.
Looking for a delicious skillet meal that’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinner? This sausage peppers recipe is packed with colorful bell peppers, juicy sausage, and aromatic spices like Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for that extra kick. Using a large skillet over medium-high heat, this meal comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknights supper.
We all have those meals that come from nothing, right? Well, that’s how I came up with this one. We had nothing planned for dinner. I didn’t even know what was in the pantry. So I started looking around. We had some extra beef sausage from another recipe. I had a green pepper and a bit of a yellow onion. I grabbed those and just started cooking!
The boys weren’t too sure about this, but Justin and I were surprised at how much flavor the meal had. We tried to convince our picky eaters that the sausage was similar to a hot dog. Spoiler: they didn’t buy it.
This recipe is great because you could sub in any vegetables you have. I used a green bell pepper. But you could use a red or orange bell pepper instead. Or maybe use more than one together. Again, yellow onion is what we had on hand. But a regular white onion would work, too. I also thought about adding shredded carrots, but decided against it since that’s one veggie the boys will eat on their own.
Ingredients & Simple Ingredients
This recipe uses flexible, easy-to-find ingredients from your grocery store, including:
- Andouille sausage (or substitute with chicken sausage, turkey sausage, smoked sausage, or sweet Italian sausage)
- Sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, and orange for a colorful, vibrant dish)
- Red onion and yellow onions for a balanced flavor
- Olive oil and vegetable oil for sautéing
- Minced garlic and Italian seasoning for extra flavor
- Tomato sauce or pasta sauce for a rich base
- Optional: red wine or white wine to deepen the sauce flavor
- Cajun seasoning for a wonderful Cajun flavor twist
Why This Sausage and Peppers Skillet is the Best
- Uses simple ingredients for a fuss-free one-skillet meal
- Quick cook time (about 6-7 minutes sauté plus simmer) using a large skillet or cast-iron skillet
- Can be made with various kinds of sausage, including hot Italian sausages, breakfast sausage, or homemade Italian sausage
- Perfect for meal prep; store leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy within 3-4 days
- Versatile—serve over white rice, cauliflower rice, or enjoy with potatoes skillet or potato salad
Tips for the Best Sausage and Peppers Meal
- Use pre-cooked sausages or cook raw sausage thoroughly before adding veggies.
- For a lighter option, try chicken sausage or turkey sausage.
- Sauté the veggies just enough so they stay crisp but tender.
- Try serving over rice skillet or cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese or melted mozzarella cheese for a cheesy twist.
Variations & Flexibility
This flexible recipe can be easily adapted:
- Swap out peppers for your favorite veggies like green beans or green onions
- Add a splash of white wine or red wine during cooking for depth
- Use hot sausages or sweet Italian sausage, depending on your heat preference
- Serve in a hoagie roll for a classic sausage and pepper sandwich
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this delicious skillet meal with white rice, potatoes recipe, or a fresh potato salad.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans for a balanced dinner tonight.
- Leftovers make a great addition to breakfast or lunch for the whole family.
Sausage and Pepper Skillet Meal Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz sausage
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1/4 yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Preparation
Pour the oil into a medium skillet and warm over medium heat. Cut the sausage into pieces about 1/2 inch wide and place it into the pan. Cook the sausage for about 3-5 minutes per side until warm. The sausage should start to brown.
Add the green pepper, onion, and garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes, until the pepper and onion are crisp-tender.
Serve warm.
Sausage and Pepper Skillet Meal Leftovers
Storage: Store any leftover sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, gently reheat the mixture over low heat in a large skillet or microwave in short intervals to preserve the juicy sausage texture and prevent drying out.
Freezing: This dish freezes well—just portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, label with the date, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed for a quick and delicious meal during busy weeknights.
Recipe
Originally Published On: June 15, 2020
Last Updated On: May 21, 2025
Sausage and Pepper Skillet Meal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz sausage
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 1/4 yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Pour the oil into a medium skillet and warm over medium heat
- Cut the sausage into pieces about 1/2 inch wide and place it into the pan
- Cook the sausage for about 3-5 minutes per side until warm and browned
- Add the green pepper, onion, and garlic
- Saute for about 5 minutes, until the pepper and onion are crisp-tender
- Serve warm
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Sausage Recipes
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- Sausage and Pepper Skillet Meal
- Southern Black Eyed Peas
- Warm and Hearty Sausage and Spinach Spaghetti Pie
- Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
- Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup
- Hearty Sausage and Kale Pesto Pizza
- Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya
- Easy Customizable Sausage and Vegetable Frittatas Breakfast
- Crawfish Boil Recipe
I wonder if this would be good with turkey sausage? I love skillet meals. We’ve done a lot of them lately
I’ve never tried it. But as long as it cooks up similarly I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!
Yum! This recipe looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make it for my family!
I hope you and your family enjoy it!
This looks a really easy meal to cook on busy nights. What sides do you recommend?
It’s so easy. We had it with some seasoned rice and a side salad since we were trying to keep it light and healthy, too.
This looks really good – and easy to make too, which is a bonus! I’ll have to try this recipe out with my family…
We love easy recipes here as we are always so busy. I hope your family enjoys it, too!
Delish! Sausage and Peppers is actually one of my family’s favorite go to meals. We love using different kinds of sausage too for different flavors.
This was the first time we had put it together, and it was great! I was surprised at how much flavor for so few things in the dish.
yummm!!! You can’t go wrong with sausages in a skillet!!! I can’t wait to try out your recipe.
A simple but always delicious weeknight meal. Sausage and peppers also make for great leftovers tossed with pasta or in a sandwich with melted cheese..so yum!
Oooo this looks really tasty and packed full of flavor.
I love sausage and peppers. It’s one of my favorite meals and goes well with so much.
Such an easy and versatile dish to prepare and the best part about it, the leftovers will taste great the next day as well!
We love sausage and peppers in my family and this review looks absolutely scrumptious!
Ooooo this is one of my favs to make for dinner because you can switch it up as a side. I’ll recommend this recipe to some of my friends.
Love a good sausage dish – this one sounds really delicious and simple.