This sausage peppers and onions skillet is such a simple and comforting meal that always hit the spot. It brings back that classic sausage and peppers flavor you get at a game or summer BBQ, but made easily on the stovetop, in just one skillet. This classic pairing is a go-to dinner that works for busy weeknights or chill, lowkey weekends.
Similar to other sheet pan or skillet meals like my sausage and veggie sheet pan, or my salmon sheet pan, this sausage and peppers skillet is a home run time and time again.
TL; DR Recipe Summary
- 👩🏼🍳 Cook Level: Easy/Beginner
- ⏱️ Cool Time: 20 minutes
- 😋 Taste: Savory, salty, spicy, umami, saucy.
- 💖 Why You'll Love: Sausage with peppers and onions are a classic pairing that highlights the subtle sweetness of the peppers and onions when sautéed, and the spicy, briny sausage pairs with the sautéed veggies.
- 🍽️ Best Paired With: Make a crunchy and healthy cabbage salad to go along with this dish or a side of shaved Brussels sprouts with cranberries and parmesan.
Jump to:
Trusted Tips, Tricks, and Key Reminders
- To get the peppers and onions to render down a little quicker, cover the lid and turn the flame to a medium low. Lift the lid and toss to combine and to prevent any burning.
- Sear the peppers and onions before you add in the sausage. The peppers and onions will take longer than the sausage to cook and soften.
- For an easier grab and go lunch, add the ingredients to a hero, hoagie, or your favorite wrap and make it into a handheld.
- If you are serving rice with this, cook the rice in bone broth for added flavor and protein.
The Main Ingredients
- Sausage - I opted for chicken sausage in this dish as I find it's lighter, leaner, and a little bit healthier than pork sausage. The Trader Joe's unexpected cheddar chicken sausage was absolutely fantastic with this recipe!
- Peppers - Bright, vibrant bell peppers are the perfect pepper for this. I always love using red, orange, or yellow.
- Onion - a jumbo sweet or yellow onion is the way to go.
- Seasoning - you can use a cajun or a fajita or taco seasoning to season the peppers and onions if you like.
- Olive oil - I use olive oil to sauté it all in the pan.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of this post for more information about quantities, measurements, and specific cooking instructions.
How to make sausage, peppers and onions skillet
Step 1: Prepare the peppers by slicing them into thin slices (the "julienne" method) and slice the onion into thick circles then cut in half.
Step 2: Add the vegetables to a skillet with olive oil on medium heat. Cook until the onions become fragrant and the peppers begin to sweat. Season with your desired spice.
Step 3: Take a few chicken sausage links, slice them into uniform pieces.
Step 4: Add in sliced chicken sausages and cook until the sausage browns on all sides and the veggies continue to get soft. The onions should become golden brown and very soft. This will take approximately 6-7 minutes.
Recipe Swaps and Substitutions
- Sausage - if you prefer a classic pork sausage, go for it! Hot or sweet, it doesn't matter here. You could also use a plant-based sausage or even a kielbasa if that's what you prefer.
- Vegetables - peppers and onions are pretty typical of this dish, but if you want to vary it up, use any kind of peppers, other types of onions (vidalia, pearl, or even shallots), or throw in spinach or zucchini.
How else can I cook this recipe?
If you would prefer to make this using a different cooking method, as I mentioned earlier, I also have a chicken sausage and veggie sheet pan recipe that's pretty incredible. Here are some other ways to cook and prepare this recipe:
Air Fryer: Pop the sausages in the air fryer for 10-11 minutes at 400º. They'll be perfectly cooked with a delicate snap.
Oven: Prepare all the ingredients and add to the sheet pan on parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 375º. Bake for 20-25 minutes until everything is well cooked and the veggies are nice and tender.
Sausage and Peppers FAQs
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and placed int he fridge for up to 4 days.
This is an excellent meal prep dish as it can be prepared ahead of time and divided into meal prep containers for an easy grab and go lunch or dinner on busy weeknights.
If you are looking to spruce up the vegetables in this dish, I would suggest carrots, broccoli, green beans, or peas.
Check out these other deliciously easy meals
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Sausage Peppers and Onions Skillet
Equipment
- large skillet
- cutting board
- tongs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 whole red bell pepper sliced thin, julienned
- 1 whole orange bell pepper sliced thin, julienned
- ½ large yellow onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon seasoning of choice I used cajun seasoning
- 3 whole chicken sausage links
Instructions
- Prepare the peppers by slicing them into thin slices (the "julienne" method) and slice the onion into thick circles then cut in half.
- Add the vegetables to a skillet with olive oil on medium heat. Cook until the onions become fragrant and the peppers begin to sweat. Season with your desired spice.
- Take a few chicken sausage links, slice them into uniform pieces.
- Add in sliced chicken sausages and cook until the sausage browns on all sides and the veggies continue to get soft. The onions should become golden brown and very soft. This will take approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Serve with a side of rice or over pasta.
Veronica L. says
As a big sausage fan, this was a great recipe. Easy, no fuss, and great over rice or even roasted potatoes. So so good.
Morgan Peaceman says
Yessss I love this over rice!
Linda says
Can I use Italian sausage instead of chicken sausage
Morgan Peaceman says
Yes you definitely can!! If you're buying already pre-cooked pork sausage links, prepare the same way. If you're buying fresh sausage links, cook the sausage ahead of time then add in the vegetables.