Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions

This Italian sausage peppers and onions skillet is pure cozy, “nonna’s kitchen” comfort. Juicy sweet Italian sausages simmer in a rich tomato-Marsala sauce with tender peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. It’s super versatile: pile it into hoagie rolls, spoon it over mashed potatoes, noodles, polenta, or even cauliflower rice. Everything cooks in one pan, making it weeknight-friendly but still special enough to serve to guests.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 2 yellow onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup Marsala wine (or chicken broth)
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• Salt, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

(Hoagie rolls, mashed potatoes, pasta, polenta, or rice for serving, optional)

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the sausages and cook until browned on both sides, about 7–10 minutes. Remove the sausages from the pan and drain on a plate; set aside.
3. Keeping the skillet over medium heat, add the Italian seasoning, chopped fresh basil, and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring, until fragrant.
4. Add the Marsala wine (or chicken broth), diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine, then add the red pepper flakes if using.
5. Add the sliced bell peppers, sliced onions, salt, and black pepper. Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Return the browned sausages to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce and vegetables.
7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the peppers and onions are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
8. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, polenta, cauliflower rice, or tucked into hoagie rolls for sandwiches.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: ~550 kcal | Servings: 4

Tips

For extra flavor, slice the browned sausages into rounds before simmering so more of the sausage browns and soaks up the sauce, especially if you’re using this for sandwiches.

This dish tastes even better the next day—store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove; the flavors meld and the sauce gets even richer.

FAQ

Can I use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet?
Yes, hot or a mix of sweet and hot sausage works great if you like more spice.

What can I use instead of Marsala wine?
Chicken broth is a good substitute; you can also use another dry white wine if that’s what you have.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Make the full dish, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth if the sauce is too thick.

Can I add more veggies?
Yes—mushrooms, zucchini, or extra peppers all work well and can be added with the peppers and onions.

How do I serve this as a sandwich without it getting soggy?
Hollow out the bottom half of the hoagie roll slightly, toast it if you like, then fill with sausage and veggies. This helps hold the filling and keeps the bread from soaking through too quickly.