Sautéed Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A flavorful skillet dish featuring savory Italian sausage cooked with sweet bell peppers and onions, perfect for a hearty meal. This Italian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage links, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 links (about 1 lb) Italian sausage links
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips yellow bell pepper
• 1 large, sliced into 1/4-inch strips yellow onion
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 4 Italian sausage links whole and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove sausages and set aside to rest.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 sliced yellow onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper. Cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
3. Step 3: Slice the rested sausages into 1/2-inch thick rounds and return to the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together and cook for an additional 3 minutes until flavors meld and the sausage is heated through.