There’s something incredibly satisfying about a one-pan meal that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and warms you from the inside out. This Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe is exactly that kind of dish—simple, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, making dinner feel effortless yet special.

A white pan filled with slices of browned sausage mixed with strips of yellow and red bell peppers and softened white onions, all coated in a rich red sauce with fresh green herbs sprinkled on top, including basil leaves placed in the center. The pan sits on a green cloth on a white marbled surface surrounded by four light brown bread rolls, a wooden spoon, and a small white bowl with chopped green herbs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely love making this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe because it brings together the comforting, savory taste of Italian sausage with the bright, fresh colors of sautéed peppers and onions. The balance of flavors is just spot on every time I cook it.

Quick One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your meal.
Flavor Packed: The combination of tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, and parmesan creates a sauce that's rich, tangy, and comforting.
Super Versatile: You can serve it in hoagie buns, over rice, or alongside pasta, making it perfect for whatever you have on hand.
Family Friendly with a Kick: Mild or spicy sausage lets you tailor the heat level to everyone’s liking.

The image shows seven small sandwich rolls arranged on a white scalloped plate over a green cloth on a white marbled surface. Each sandwich has a golden toasted bun sliced open and filled with several pieces of browned sausage slices, sautéed red and yellow bell pepper strips, and lightly cooked onions. Fresh green parsley is sprinkled evenly on top of the sandwiches and around the plate. The sandwiches look juicy with a mix of warm yellow, red, brown, and green colors. A single plain sandwich roll sits outside the plate on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe shines because of its simple, fresh ingredients that work beautifully together. Each component brings something special—meaty sausage, sweet bell peppers, savory tomato sauce, and fragrant herbs.

Flat lay of fresh Italian sausage links with natural casings, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, two vibrant bell peppers—one red and one yellow—sliced into rings, a large yellow onion thinly sliced, a small white bowl filled with deep red tomato paste, a small white bowl of finely minced fresh garlic, a small white bowl containing bright red crushed red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of clear low-sodium chicken broth, a small white bowl of dark balsamic vinegar, a ripe Roma tomato halved and sliced, a small white bowl of freshly chopped bright green basil leaves, a small white bowl of dried oregano, a small white bowl filled with finely shredded pale yellow Parmesan cheese, and a few sprigs of fresh basil for garnish—all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Italian sausage: Whether you go mild or spicy, these sausages add the hearty, flavorful backbone of the dish with juicy, seasoned meat.
Olive oil: Helps create that perfect sear on the sausage and softens the veggies without overpowering their flavor.
Bell peppers: I love using a mix of red and yellow or green for color contrast and sweetness.
Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth once it softens with the peppers.
Tomato paste: This thickens and intensifies the sauce, bringing a deep, rich tomato flavor.
Minced garlic: For that irresistible aroma and a punch of savoriness.
Red pepper flakes: Just enough heat to tickle your taste buds, but you can adjust it as you like.
Chicken broth: Lightens the sauce and helps blend all the flavors together perfectly.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds a touch of tang and sweetness that really elevates the whole skillet.
Roma tomato: Fresh tomato slices add brightness and texture to the dish.
Fresh basil and dried oregano: These herbs bring that classic Italian flavor profile that ties everything together.
Parmesan cheese: A sprinkle of freshly shredded cheese gives the dish a lovely savory finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I've played around with this recipe a ton to suit different moods and ingredients on hand, and trust me—you can totally make it your own. Don’t hesitate to adjust spice levels or swap veggies depending on what’s fresh or what you’re craving.

Variation: I once swapped out the bell peppers for roasted poblano peppers and it added a smoky depth that was sensational. Try different peppers or even add sliced mushrooms for an earthier twist.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, you can use turkey sausage and reduce the oil slightly without sacrificing flavor.
Spice adjustment: If you prefer a milder dish, cut back on or omit the red pepper flakes; for more heat, add a pinch of cayenne or a diced fresh chili.
Serving ideas: Sometimes I serve this over creamy polenta or alongside crusty bread—that way you soak up every last bit of sauce.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage to Lock in Juices

Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your Italian sausages and brown them evenly on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Don’t rush this step—it’s key to building flavor and a nice color on the sausage. Once browned, transfer them to a plate but leave the flavorful fat in the skillet to cook your veggies.

Step 2: Soften the Peppers and Onions

With the fat still in the pan, add your sliced bell peppers and onions. Sauté them for about 3 minutes until they start to soften but still have a little crunch—that texture contrast is part of the magic here.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Next, stir in tomato paste, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté this mixture for roughly 1 minute to let those flavors bloom—this step really deepens the taste of your final dish.

Step 4: Simmer it All Together

Pour in your chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, then add the fresh tomato slices along with the herbs—basil and oregano. Toss everything to combine before nesting the sausages back into the skillet. Simmer on low, covered, for about 10 minutes until sausages reach an internal temp of 160°F and the peppers are tender. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth to get that perfect consistency.

Step 5: Rest, Slice, and Finish with Cheese

Remove the sausages and tent them with foil to rest for 5 minutes—this keeps them juicy. Keep your pepper mixture covered and warm. Then slice sausages and toss them back in the skillet with a sprinkle of freshly shredded parmesan. Stir it all up and garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe from delicious to exceptional. These nuggets come from my own kitchen experiments and can save you time and frustration!

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the sausage room to brown properly. Crowding creates steam instead of a sear, and you lose that rich caramelization.
Use a Sharp Knife: When slicing the sausages after resting, a sharp knife helps maintain neat slices without shredding the meat.
Save the Sausage Fat: Leaving the rendered fat in the pan adds natural flavor and prevents the veggies from sticking or getting greasy.
Simmer Covered: Keeping the skillet covered during the simmer locks in moisture and helps the flavors marry perfectly.

How to Serve Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe

sausage and peppers - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love garnishing this dish with plenty of fresh basil right before serving—that fresh green pop is so inviting. Sometimes, I add chopped parsley for an herbaceous twist. A final dusting of finely shredded parmesan just before plating brings a delicate saltiness that makes every bite sing.

Side Dishes

This skillet pairs beautifully with warm, crusty hoagie rolls if you want a sandwich-style dinner. When I want something more substantial, creamy polenta or buttery mashed potatoes do the trick. Lately, I've been serving it over garlic buttered pasta to turn it into an easy comfort food feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to plate this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe in individual shallow bowls with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of chili flakes for added color. Sometimes I turn it into a beautiful baked pasta casserole by tossing with rigatoni and topping with mozzarella before baking it golden and bubbly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. This Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe reheats wonderfully and keeps well for 3–4 days. The flavors even seem to deepen overnight, making it a great make-ahead dinner or lunch option.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, I recommend removing the sausage slices from the sauce and freezing separately to keep textures intact. Freeze in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags and thaw overnight in the fridge. This way, when you reheat, neither the peppers nor sausage turn mushy.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the skillet over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. Adding a splash of chicken broth or water as you warm it helps rejuvenate the sauce and keeps everything moist. I avoid microwaving because it can sometimes dry out the sausage and veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use ground sausage instead of links in this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Ground sausage works well—just brown it in the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. You might want to adjust cooking time so it’s cooked through and a bit crumbly rather than slicing links.

What kind of bell peppers are best for this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe?

I like to mix red with yellow or green to get a nice balance of sweetness and freshness. Red peppers are sweeter and more vibrant, while green have a slightly earthier flavor. Feel free to use whatever color you prefer or have on hand.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you check the sausage ingredients (some brands add fillers). Serve it with gluten-free sides like rice, polenta, or gluten-free bread to keep it entirely gluten-free.

How spicy is this Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe?

The spice level depends on your sausage choice and how much red pepper flakes you add. Using mild sausage and little red pepper flakes makes it quite mild, while spicy sausage with more flakes adds noticeable heat. You can easily control the level to your liking.

Final Thoughts

This Sausage and Pepper Skillet Recipe has become one of those dishes I’m always happy to come back to—it’s just so reliable, cozy, and delicious. It’s the kind of recipe I recommend when you want quick comfort without fuss, and it never disappoints. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a fast favorite in your kitchen too.