This sausage and peppers recipe is an Italian-American classic, with sweet bell peppers served with Italian sausage. Serve it on its own or on a bun! Make it mild or spicy.
Who's in the mood for a super easy yet flavor dinner? I know I am. Always! This is one of the easiest recipes out there, with spicy Italian sausages and lots of peppers that all comes together in a recipe I grew up with.
We're talking Sausage and Peppers, and it just might become one of your new favorites. Print this one out, my spicy food loving friends! And non-spicy food loving friends, too! This recipe is super easy to adapt to any spice level, so if you prefer your food on the milder side, this recipe is sure to please.
This sausage and peppers recipe is classic Italian-American food served in Italian delis and restaurants all across the United States. It is traditionally made with Italian sausage and sweet peppers, such as colorful bell peppers, though some cooks like to add other ingredients, like onion, garlic, tomatoes or tomato sauce.
Preparation will vary between different home cooks, and you have a variety of ways you can serve it. Many refer to this recipe as sausage, peppers and onions. Classic combo!
I grew up on Italian sausage and peppers. Now I like to make a spicy version (shocker, I know), with jalapeno peppers and sweet peppers along with spicy chili flakes and hot Italian sausage. I'll show you how to make a milder version in the recipe notes below.
Let's talk about how to make sausage and peppers, shall we?
Sausage and Peppers Ingredients
- The Sausage. I use hot Italian sausages in my recipe, but use sweet Italian sausage for a milder version. This recipe also works with other sausages, such as turkey Italian sausage, brats, Polish sausage or chorizo.
- The Peppers. Sweet peppers or bell peppers are traditionally used to make sausage and peppers. I like to use a couple of colorful bells, like orange, yellow or red bell pepper, along with jalapeno peppers in place of the green bell pepper. Slice them into strips, or chop them up to your preference.
- The Extras. You'll also need...
- Olive oil
- Sweet onion (or use yellow onion)
- Garlic
- Red wine or chicken broth (or water)
- Fire roasted tomatoes (you can use canned diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce as well)
- Dried basil (or use fresh chopped)
- Dried oregano (or use fresh chopped)
- Spicy red pepper flakes (for a spicier version, optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Make Sausage and Peppers - the Recipe Method
Brown the Italian Sausages. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Italian sausages and brown the sausages on each side, about 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the sausages and set them aside. Return the pan to medium heat.
Cook the Peppers. Add the sliced onion and pepper and cook them down for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to get all of the peppers. Cook until they begin to soften up. I like to get a bit of a char on them.
Add the garlic and cook another minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
Deglaze. Add the red wine (or broth or water) to the plan to deglaze it. White wine is good, too. Scrape up any of the flavorful brown bits from the bottom. Cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce the liquid.
Sauce it Up. Add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Return the sausages to the pan - just nestle them into the peppers and marinara sauce.
Simmer. Reduce heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes to 20 minutes or until you've cooked the sausages through and the mixture becomes a bit saucy.
Serve and enjoy!
Boom! Done! Sausage and peppers is very easy to make. It's great for a simple weeknight dinner or an anytime meal. You don't need a lot of ingredients, with a primary focus on the peppers and the sausages. Time to chow down on some sausage, peppers and onions. Delish!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Extra Spicy Sausage and Peppers. If you're looking for an even spicier version, add in some hotter peppers to your preference. I like to include serrano peppers sometimes for myself. Add in a spicy habanero pepper, or toss a ghost pepper into the mix for a seriously hot version. I know you want to, you crazy chilihead.
- Mild Sausage and Peppers. Traditional sausage and peppers is not meant to be spicy. If you're looking for a milder version, use sweet Italian sausages and use either bell peppers or other Italian sweet peppers. You'll still get great flavor with this recipe.
- The Sauce. The sauce ingredients break down to create a wonderfully flavorful tomato sauce, which perfectly compliments the other ingredients. You can save time by using your favorite store bought marinara sauce. Just simmer the sausages, peppers and onions in the sauce until cooked through.
- How Long Do Sausage and Peppers Last? This dish will last a week if kept covered in the refrigerator. They will keep in the freezer for 6 months.
Serving Suggestions for Sausage and Peppers
You can serve sausage and peppers on their own on a plate, or add a sausage to a bun or Italian roll or hoagie roll and pile on the peppers and onions around it. Try serving it with pasta. You can also serve it over rice or cauliflower rice. Try it with spicy Fra Diavolo sauce. This is comfort food at its finest.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy your sausage and peppers! It's such a great recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Did you make a milder version? Spicy version?
Let's hear it!
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
- Pepper and Egg Sandwich
- Chicago-Style Hot Dog
- Italian Giardiniera
- Choripan Argentina (Grilled Chorizo Sausage)
- Bacon Wrapped Beer Brats
- Grilled Beer Brats
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers
- Shrimp Fra Diavolo
- Muffaletta Sandwich
- Italian Chicken Drumsticks with Peppers and Paprika
- Piperade
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Italian Sausages I used hot, but use sweet for a milder version - try it with turkey Italians for a lighter version
- 3 Bell Peppers sliced into strips (Use a variety of colors - I use 3-4 jalapeno peppers instead of green bell for a spicier version, along with 2 colorful bells)
- 1 medium sweet onion sliced
- 6 cloves garlic chopped
- 1/2 cup red wine or use chicken broth or water
- 15 ounces fire roasted tomatoes you can use canned diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce as well
- 2 teaspoons dried basil or use fresh chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano or use fresh chopped
- 1 tablespoon spicy red pepper flakes for a spicier version, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan to medium heat. Add the Italian sausages and brown them on each side, about 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the sausages and set them aside. Return the pan to medium heat.
- Add the sliced peppers and onions to the pan and cook them down for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to get all of the peppers. Cook until they begin to soften up. I like to get a bit of a char on them.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the red wine (or white wine, broth or water) to the plan to deglaze it. Scrape up any of the flavorful brown bits from the bottom. Cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- Add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Return the sausages to the pan - just nestle them into the peppers and sauce.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sausages cook through and the mixture becomes a bit saucy.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 11/13/20 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 6/3/20.
Pat says
Made this on the weekend, it was delicious, I added some scotch bonnet peppers to bring it up a notch, will be making this dish often.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Pat! Glad you enjoyed it! NICE touch with the Scotch Bonnets. Spicy!
Tim says
Made this several times but this time i roasted my own home grown tomatoes,what could be better?
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!!! Outstanding!! I love it.
Kelly says
This is a great Italian sausage recipe and it's nice and simple. Who says you need a ton of ingredients and instructions to make a great dinner! This is already a family favourite.Thanks Mike keep the great recipes coming!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for the comments, Kelly! I appreciate it! Very happy you enjoyed this. Great stuff!
Isabel says
This recipe turned out sooooo good! Definitely eat on a big hoagie roll! I will be making this again and again!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it, Isabel!
Diana says
This was quite good. I made it last night. I had already planned to make it, and bought all the ingredients a couple days ago. But yesterday at the grocery store, I saw one of those tortellini packages and I decided to throw it in. It was spinach and cheese tortellini. I cooked that and added it to the end of the recipe. Perfect.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfect, Diana! Glad you enjoyed it! GREAST as a pasta.
Joanna says
Hi Mike,
I made this for dinner tonight - used Cajun Andouille and all the ingredients you recommend - Rotel subbed for fire roased tomatoes. Liquid was Shiraz wine. Served it over zoodles - oh my goodness, I am SOOOOO glad I found this recipe and follow your website.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it, Joanna! I love it.
Phil H. says
Good job, Mike. This is a classic recipe that captures the soul of the Abruzzese.
I can only say that I hope folks have access to high-quality Italian sausage. I lived out West for a couple of decades and it was damn near impossible to find anyone who knew how to make it correctly. We used to bring 10 or 20 pounds back when we we visited relatives in New York, because nothing out there came close to what we could buy in a grocery store in the neighborhood.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Phil. Agreed, a good quality sausage is key in this recipe.
Jeremie says
I have to be frank Mike, I was a bit skeptical with this one. But I totally trust your taste, so I cooked it ... Excellent! of course it's simple, but ....soooo tasty! I just added some fennel seeds which seemed to me conform with classic Italian sausages. Great recipe, again and always! thanks Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Jeremie! I love it. So glad you enjoyed it. Definitely simple, but big where I come from. Nice addition of the fennel seeds.
b says
Tried your Sausage and Peppers. Great easy meal.
Served with a Cajun macaroni salad because
my sausages were Cajun.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, B! Super happy you enjoyed it! Nice side.
Christofer M Fay says
Brilliant. Had to use Chorizo Sausages from an English store, but lost nothing in the translation...
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Christofer! Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate your comments.
Hollis Ramsey says
I’ve been having some stomach troubles, so I’m gonna be careful. I’ve got 5 sweet Italian sausages. I’ll use red/orange/yellow bells ... and deseeded jalapenos. I don’t like wine but I make a rich chicken stock. And instead of your spice blend, I’m going to use 1-2 T. of American-style za’ataar (oregano + thyme substituted for hyssop — I have that kind, too) and 1-2 T. of smoked paprika. (Amounts adjusted because I’m using an extra sausage and I just love that spice combo.)
When I was a kid, my family went to the Amish Kutztown Festival in Kutztown, PA every summer for many summers. Every day at 1 pm they killed and butchered a pig. One stall over, they sold sausage and pepper sandwiches on hoagie rolls. And that’s how I’m going to serve this up. (We were also devouring funnel cakes, in the mid-’60s, way before they became popular.)
Hollis Ramsey says
Mike, you MUST check out this food52.com recipe: Sichuan Mouth-Numbing Cold Noodles. It has the best Sichuan chili oil recipe I’ve ever seen, a triple-garlic Sichuan oil with 5 dried chili peppers, 2 T. red Sichuan peppercorns, 4 T. chili flakes, ~11 cloves of garlic, a 1-inch nub of ginger, 1 star anise, and the garlic is done 3 ways: 1/2-head infused, minced toasted, and fresh-minced. Seriously, dude, it doesn’t get much better than that!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds wonderful! I will check it out!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Hollis. Enjoy! Great memories!