This Italian Sausage and Peppers is a simple, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in one pan. Juicy hot Italian sausage is seared until golden, then paired with sautéed bell peppers and onions that soften and caramelize beautifully. Finished with melted cheese and served on a roll (or not), this is one of those easy meals that works for weeknights, game day, or anytime you want something quick and satisfying.
Why You Will Love This Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
- Quick and Easy Sausage Dinner – This Italian sausage and peppers is a one-pan meal that is ready in about 30 minutes.
- Bold Italian Flavor – Hot Italian sausage, sweet peppers, and onions bring classic flavor.
- Versatile Serving Options – Serve as a sandwich, over rice, with mashed potatoes, or on its own for a low-carb meal.
- Perfect for Meal Prep – The sausage and peppers reheat well, and hold flavor beautifully.
- Great for Crowds – This Italian sausage and peppers dish is easy to scale up for parties or game day food.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Hot Italian sausage: Use mild Italian sausage, sweet sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage.
- Bell peppers: Any variety works! Use red, orange or yellow for sweetness, or green for a more savory bite.
- White onion: Substitute yellow onion or red onion.
- Mozzarella cheese: Provolone, white American, or fontina melt beautifully. Omit, if desired.
- Buns: Use hoagie rolls, sub rolls, or skip entirely for a low-carb option.
How to Prepare Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a cast iron pan over medium heat.
- Add the sausage links and sear on all sides until nicely browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover, and cook until the sausages are cooked through.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan along with a pinch of salt.
- Sauté the vegetables until they reach your desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the sausages from the pan and set aside.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the peppers and onions.
- Cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve the sausages topped with the cheesy peppers and onions, or slice the sausages in half lengthwise.
- Place the sausage into buns, then top with the cheesy pepper and onion mixture.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve the Italian sausage and peppers alone as a low-carb meal, or on hoagie rolls (toasted or not) for a classic sausage and peppers sandwich.
- Pair with roasted potatoes, pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a heartier dinner.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are great options. Serving on a bun makes it a classic sandwich, while skipping the bread keeps it lower carb and more versatile as a main dish.
Yes, you can add a little marinara sauce for extra flavor. Traditional sausage and peppers is often served without sauce, but it’s a great option if you prefer a saucier sandwich.
Mozzarella melts perfectly, but provolone or white American are also great choices.
Yes, it reheats very well and is perfect for meal prep or making in advance.
No, you can use mild or sweet Italian sausage depending on your preference.
More Italian Sausage Recipes to Love
- Italian Sausage Orecchiette Soup
- Creamy Sausage Potato Soup
- Italian Sausage and Beans
- Sausage Cheese Tortellini Soup
- Spicy Sausage Cream Sauce
- Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
- Hot Italian Sausage and Ricotta Cappellacci
This Italian sausage and peppers is an easy one-pan dinner made with juicy sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, and melted cheese, perfect served on a roll or as a low-carb meal.
Print
Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
Description
Italian Sausage and Peppers made with hot sausage, sautéed bell peppers and onions, and melted mozzarella for an easy one-pan dinner or sandwich.
Ingredients
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage links (about 5–6 links)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 bell peppers, cut into strips (mix of colors for best flavor)
- 1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
- Pinch of salt
- 6–8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- Hoagie rolls or buns, optional for serving
Instructions
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a cast iron pan over medium heat.
- Add the sausage links and sear on all sides until nicely browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover, and cook until the sausages are cooked through.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the pan along with a pinch of salt.
- Sauté the vegetables until they reach your desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the sausages from the pan and set aside.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the peppers and onions.
- Cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve the sausages topped with the cheesy peppers and onions, or slice the sausages in half lengthwise.
- Place the sausage into buns, then top with the cheesy pepper and onion mixture.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Covering the pan helps cook the sausage through, while keeping it juicy.
- Let the peppers and onions cook undisturbed at times for better caramelization.
- Adding the cheese directly to the vegetables creates a melty, cohesive topping.
- Slice the sausage to better fit the rolls and distribute flavor evenly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American/Italian
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!
In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.
Let’s Get Social!
Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest and YouTube! Check out my LTK to find out what I’m wearing! THANK YOU!
2 Comments
[…] SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS […]
[…] I like to serve my Italian Sausage and Beans with a side of pasta, or sautéed spinach. That’s it. Be sure to make plenty for leftovers! ENJOY!!! For a more traditional take, try my classic Sausage and Peppers. […]