Easy Sausage and Peppers Recipe

This 15-minute sausage and peppers recipe is one of the most popular recipes for budget-friendly cooks and busy moms alike! It’s a delicious way to make an easy, cheap dinner any night of the week.

Hey y’all! I’m here today with one of my favorite recipes – a quick and easy sausage and peppers recipe that you can enjoy on busy weeknights because it takes less than 15 minutes to whip up!

This sausage and peppers recipe is perfect for busy school nights, work nights, and meal prep, and it’s also budget-friendly! If you have leftovers, you’ll have lunch the next day!

Traditional Sausage and Peppers Made Easy

Now, it’s bold to say that traditional sausage and peppers isn’t easy – dare I say, it’s one of the easiest dinner recipes one can have! However, classic sausage and peppers simmer on the stovetop for at least 20 minutes, and we ain’t got time for that!

My quick and easy 15-minute sausage and peppers recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner because I use cooked sausage. Fresh peppers and onions don’t take long to soften up, and this recipe – like traditional sausage and peppers – doesn’t require extended cooking time for any sauce.

Ingredients For Easy Sausage and Peppers

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this quick and easy dinner recipe! The fresh, healthy ingredients are budget-friendly at just about any grocery store. Be sure to check out the full recipe in the recipe card below for ingredient measurements. Here’s everything you need.

• Bell Peppers: I prefer yellow and orange bell peppers, but you can use any color bell peppers you desire.
• Onions: yellow onion is my go-to, but white onion or red onion both fit in this recipe – or use all three!
• Sausage: I used already-cooked smoked sausage for a smokey flavor and quick cooking time.
• Seasonings: I keep it simple with black pepper and minced garlic.
• Olive Oil: for cooking everything together in one skillet.

What kind of sausage should you use in a sausage and peppers recipe?

Here’s the great part – you can use whatever type of sausage you want! There are so many different ways to make this recipe with extra flavor, depending on what you like! Here are some other options:

• Classic Italian sausage is a go-to for sausage and peppers. You can use hot Italian sausage for some spice or a sweet Italian sausage for a more classic flavor.
• If you like spicy sausage, go for andouille sausage or even chorizo!
• I use beef sausage, but turkey sausage, chicken sausage, and pork sausage are great options, too. If you’re plant-based, plenty of vegan and vegetarian “sausage” options are available in the grocery stores, too.

My biggest tip for this easy dinner recipe is to use fully cooked sausage! It browns up quickly, making this 15-minute sausage and peppers as fast as possible.

Can I use frozen vegetables to make sausage and peppers?

Absolutely, yes, you can! Here’s a brilliant, budget-friendly hack for ya: you can usually find all the ingredients you need to make this recipe at the dollar store! Grab some smoked sausage links, a bag of frozen peppers and onions, and some seasonings for the ultimate dollar store recipe.

You can toss a bag of frozen vegetables into the skillet with your browned sausage, and they’ll be ready in no time. Frozen peppers and onions will be much softer than fresh vegetables, but they’re a perfectly good choice in a pinch!

How to Make 15-Minute Sausage and Peppers

This one-skillet recipe could NOT be easier. It’s the kind of meal you make when you’re craving comfort food, but you’re on a budget – time and money-wise! The whole family will appreciate the fresh, flavorful peppers, onions, and hearty sausage. Here’s how to make easy sausage and peppers in just a few steps.

1. Prep your ingredients. Slice the sausage, peppers, and onions. I slice my peppers and onions into strips and half-moons. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers.
2. Brown the sliced sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, with a bit of olive oil, for about 5 minutes.
3. Toss in the sliced onions and peppers. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, until softened and slightly translucent.
4. Add your seasonings, toss everything together, and you’re done!

Delicious Ways to Upgrade Easy Sausage and Peppers

Now, I’m sure y’all are thinking, “Cousins Rosie, sausage and peppers are so dang easy; why do I need tips and tricks for this recipe?” Because, fam, the Cousin Rosie way is all about extra flavor!

If it’s your first time making sausage and peppers, stick with the basics for a quick and easy weeknight meal for your family – you really can’t go wrong! However, if sausage and peppers are on your weekly or monthly meal rotation, there are some hella delicious ways to spice it up. Let’s dive into those!

• Add extra seasonings! Start with the basics – Italian seasoning, your favorite herb blend, seasoning salt, or all-purpose seasoning. For heat, try red pepper flakes. For spice, try Cajun seasoning.
• You also can’t go wrong with fresh herbs – fresh basil or parsley adds the perfect finishing touch to this meal.
• Bell peppers aren’t your only option! Try slicing up some Italian peppers, banana peppers, or poblano peppers for different flavors.
• Sauté the sausage and peppers in butter instead of olive oil. Butter adds a much richer flavor, making this recipe even more delicious.

Sausage and Peppers with Sauce

Want to add a sauce to your one-skillet sausage and peppers? Go right on ahead! It won’t add much, if any, cooking time to this easy recipe, and it’s a delicious way to add more flavor.

• Tomato Sauce: add your favorite pasta sauce or marinara sauce and let the peppers, onions, and sausage simmer over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes.
• White Wine Sauce: simmer the ingredients in white wine and butter. It will reduce down to a sweet, flavorful sauce.
• Chicken Broth: add a bit of chicken broth with the sausage, peppers, and onions. To help emulsify the sauce, add butter or Parmesan cheese.

The key to quick sausage and peppers with sauce is not to add too much liquid. More liquid takes longer to cook down, so keep it to about 1/4 to ½ cup if you want to keep your total cooking time to about 15 minutes.

Storage Tips (Leftovers, Meal Prep, and Reheating Tips)

This easy sausage, peppers, and onions recipe is perfect for meal prep since it’s quick! You can easily double the recipe to make leftovers, store them in the fridge or freezer, and enjoy them days later.

• Store Leftovers/Meal Prep: in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months!
• Reheating: on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave.

What to Eat with Sausage and Peppers (Sides + Serving Suggestions)

There are tons of options when it comes to serving your easy sausage and peppers. My favorite is simple white rice! For a low-carb meal, pair them with cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash. You can serve sausage and peppers on a hoagie roll for a casual sandwich or over your favorite pasta. Other great side dish options are:

• Roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or cheesy scalloped potatoes
• Garlic bread
• Homemade dinner rolls
• Skillet smothered potatoes (just leave out the sausage)

Well, there you have it, fam! One of the easiest, quickest, most budget-friendly meals known to moms! Sausage and peppers are perfect when you need to feed a crowd and are short on time. With only 15 minutes and about 5 ingredients, dinner ain’t no problem tonight!

More Easy Dinner Ideas from I Heart Recipes

Loved this 15-minute sausage and peppers recipe? Here are some more budget-friendly, busy weeknight dinners to work into your rotation:

• Pepperoni Pizza Casserole
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Sheet Pan Italian Lemon Chicken and Asparagus
• Sheet Pan Greek-Style Chicken Dinner
• Parmesan Salmon Foil Packs
• Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soulfood, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie and A Cousin Rosie Holiday with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.