Italian Sausage and Peppers is the perfect way to feed a lot of people. If you are planning your next Italian meal and looking for a way to compliment this classic dish, here are 18 of my favorite recipes to serve alongside it.
Italian Sausage and Peppers is the perfect meal for feeding a crowd! Here’s why you should love this dish!
- It’s simple and made with fresh ingredients that are full of color and flavor. Crisp peppers, flavorful onions and juicy sausage… it’s irresistible!.
- It’s an easy recipe. Some quick chopping and this easy dinner can be on the table in less than 30 minutes on a busy weeknight. You don’t have to be a professional chef to make this into a dish everyone will love.
- It’s versatile. So versatile, in fact, that it can be served as a main dish, a quick side dish or even an appetizer. You can make it in an instant pot, dutch oven, skillet or even a slow cooker.
Italian Sausage and Peppers is really a dish everyone should have in their back pocket for a quick meal, a backyard barbecue, or a party dish. Baked Mostaccioli recipe also can easily feed a crowd and both are popular Italian dishes. Don’t forget the bread! You can dunk a slice into the sauce. To know the difference between French Bread Vs Italian Bread, check out my article. If you are looking for a way to turn your family favorite recipe into a feast, here are a few of my favorite sides to serve it with.
FAQs
Sweet Italian sausage is the most popular choice for authentic Italian sausage and peppers. You could also use spicy Italian sausage or hot Italian sausage if you like a little heat. If you don’t have Italian sausage links on hand, you can use just about any sausage, but the best flavor will come from good quality Italian pork sausages.
You can also make the recipe a little healthier by using turkey sausage or chicken sausage, versus the classic pork sausage.
Yes, Italian sausage and peppers is a very authentic Italian meal. It seems almost every Italian family has their own delicious recipe. It’s a popular street food but is also a favorite for a quick family meal.
It is also a popular Italian-American dish that has been enjoyed for decades!
My recipe for Italian Sausage and Peppers does not include any wine, but it’s a popular addition for many chefs. It seems that some chefs choose to flavor their sausage and peppers with red wine while others choose a tomato sauce. If you choose to add wine, I suggest dry marsala wine as it adds a rich, authentically-Italian flavor and you can use it for so many other Italian recipes like Instant Pot Chicken Marsala.
If you do not have wine on hand, you could easily replace it with chicken broth.
Italian Sausage and Peppers saves very well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You could also freeze it, though this may result in softer peppers when it thaws out.
Favorite Recipes
- This Authentic Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe comes straight from my Italian grandmother and is my go-to for the perfect Italian sausage and peppers.
- This super simplified version from Simple Italian Cooking doesn’t have any sauce which makes it quick to prepare and a good option for picky eaters.
- This Instant Pot recipe from The Short Order Cook makes Italian sausage and peppers so easy for a weeknight meal.
Expert Tips
- You can use any kind of peppers for Italian sausage and peppers. In my opinion green bell pepper is a must-have, but you can also add in red bell pepper, orange bell pepper and yellow bell pepper for a nice pop of color and sweetness.
- This dish is a great way to use up vegetables that have been in the refrigerator too long. Feel free to add zucchini, mushrooms or sweet potatoes to the pot for an easy meal.
- Some recipes call for cooking the sausage and peppers in a tomato sauce made with tomato paste while others skip this entirely. The more traditional way to serve Italian sausage and peppers is in a tomato or marinara sauce.
- It is important not to overcook your peppers and onions. They should still have a little texture to them when they finish cooking. This allows them to have a stronger flavor as well.
- If you want to make your sausage and peppers with a little kick, feel free to add a dash of cayenne or some red pepper flakes to your recipe or swap out the sweet sausage for spicy.
- I love that my recipe is full of flavor without a lot of spices added in, but feel free to top it with your favorite Italian seasoning or some fresh herbs.
- Searing your sausage until it is lightly browned will bring out the best flavor and add small brown bits to the bottom of the pan that can add extra flavor to the peppers and sweet onion.
What to Serve With this Recipe
- Serve This Dish on Top Of: warm hoagie rolls, spaghetti noodles, pasta, cauliflower rice, crusty bread
- Serve this Dish with a Side Of: green salad, breadsticks, garlic bread, caesar salad, garlic green beans, steamed vegetables
Recipes to Serve with Italian Sausage and Peppers
Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes
The herbed cheese in these Creamy Boursin Mashed Potatoes (from Marley’s Menu) takes them up a notch infusing flavor and extra creamy texture.
Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
These Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes (from Fresh Apron) are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and baked to perfection.
Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli
Roasted tenderstem broccoli (also known as broccolini or baby broccoli) (from Two Cloves Kitchen) is delicious when cooked until just crisp with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Spaghetti Arrabbiata
Spaghetti Arrabbiata (from Two Cloves Kitchen), often mistakenly spelled Spaghetti Arrabiata, is a spicy Italian pasta dish with a sauce of crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and, typically, red pepper flake. I make this recipe unique by adding Calabrian chili peppers in place of red pepper flake.
Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans and Red Onions
Italian potato salad, with green beans and red onion (from Bella Vita), a super fresh and delicious salad, perfect as a side dish but also as a main course for a lunch.
Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
Delicious and creamy garlic mushrooms (from Hurry The Food Up) that are so tasty and flavorsome, you want to eat them again and again.
Easy Homemade Baguette
This quick and easy homemade french baguette recipe (from Simply Scrumptious) is simple to make and the hands on time is fast! It’s beautiful and delicious, crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Try a baguette with cheese or butter or used as sandwich bread.
Easy Cornbread Cake
Get ready for the best and easiest Cornbread Cake recipe (from Simply Scrumptious) made from scratch. A sweet, and quick cake-like bread that is easy to make and has a moist texture. This recipe is better than Jiffy and is made, from start to finish, in less than 30 minutes.
Instant Pot Pasta Salad
Copycat Chick Fil A Superfood Salad
This Copycat Chick Fil A Superfood Salad (from Watch Learn Eat) is a delicious side you can make at home with a few simple ingredients! It’s easy to prep and ready in just 20 minutes!
Roasted Spaghetti Squash
Roasted spaghetti squash (from Watch Learn Eat) is easy to make with just 2 ingredients plus salt and pepper. Ready in under an hour, this pasta alternative is delicious alone, with some veggies or paired with your favorite sauce. This naturally vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dish can be served as a main or a side.
Prosciutto Bread
Prosciutto Bread (aka Lard Bread) (from Drug Store Divas) is a popular Italian bread made with prosciutto and lard (traditionally, but you could use bacon grease).
Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts
Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts (from A Cedar Spoon) is a quick and easy salad that is peppery, sweet and satisfying. Arugula is tossed with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese and finished off with a lemony, olive oil dressing.
Raw Brussels Sprouts Salad with Tahini Dressing
This easy raw brussels sprouts salad (from Champagne Tastes) is made with shaved brussels sprouts and carrots, fruit and an easy tahini dressing. This salad packs and stores well and is perfect for meal prep!
Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Super easy Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad (from Dish n The Kitchen) – with store bought cheese tortellini, fresh vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and mouth watering basil pesto. Mix up this new summer barbecue favourite today!
Herbed Zucchini Bites
These tasty little Herbed Zucchini Bites (from The Wine Lovers Kitchen) are perfect to use up some of that zucchini that is everywhere at this time of year! Fresh herbs take them from ho hum to delicious!
Fettuccine in Tomato Sauce
This Fettuccine in Tomato Sauce (from Eat Something Vegan) is full of juicy tomatoes, pungent garlic, and fresh herbs. If you like your pasta full of flavor, then you’re going to love this delicious dish.
Honey Roasted Tomatoes
Honey Roasted Tomatoes (from The Almond Eater) are a fun spin on traditional roasted tomatoes, and they make for a tasty summertime side dish. They’re drizzled with olive oil and honey, then roasted with onions until they’re soft and paired with fresh mozzarella cheese.
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