Sausage and Peppers Skillet

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb Italian sausage links (sweet or hot), about 6 links
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 3 bell peppers (mixed colors), cored and sliced into strips
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 cup marinara or crushed tomatoes
• 4 sub rolls or crusty bread, for serving (optional)

Nutrition (estimated per serving)

Method

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the 6 sausage links and cook, turning every 2-3 minutes with tongs, for about 10-12 minutes total, until browned on all sides. The sausages do not need to be fully cooked through yet at this stage, since they will finish cooking with the vegetables.
2. Transfer the sausages to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet, keeping the flavorful browned bits and rendered fat in the pan.
3. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and pick up some golden color, scraping up the browned bits from the sausages as you stir.
4. Add the 3 cloves minced garlic, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon oregano, and red pepper flakes if using; cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
5. Nestle the browned sausages back into the skillet among the peppers and onions. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low; cook for 8-10 minutes, turning the sausages once, until they are cooked through with no pink in the center.
6. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a sausage away from the pan; it should read at least 160 F, the USDA minimum safe temperature for pork sausage, and the peppers should be tender but still slightly holding their shape.
7. Remove the lid, pour in the 0.5 cup marinara, and stir gently to coat the sausages and vegetables. Simmer uncovered for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
8. Taste the peppers and onions and adjust salt or red pepper flakes as needed.
9. Serve the sausages whole or sliced, spooned over the peppers, onions, and sauce, either on their own or tucked into a sub roll for a sandwich.

Tips