⏱ Prep Time
10 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time
40 minutes
🍽 Total Time
50 minutes
👥 Servings
🛒 Ingredients
- ¼ 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
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
👩🍳 Directions
1️⃣ Brown the Sausages
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausages and cook them for 7 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are nicely browned on all sides. This step builds flavor and helps seal in the juices. Once browned, remove the sausages from the skillet and set them aside to rest.
2️⃣ Build the Aromatic Base
In the same skillet, add the chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can become bitter.
3️⃣ Create the Sauce
Stir in the tomato paste and cook it briefly to deepen its flavor. Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra richness.
4️⃣ Add Vegetables
Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, then bring everything to a gentle simmer. The vegetables will begin to soften and release their natural sweetness into the sauce.
5️⃣ Simmer Gently
Return the sausages to the skillet, nestling them into the vegetables and sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let everything simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly and the sausages are fully cooked and tender.
6️⃣ Serve and Enjoy
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, polenta, or cauliflower rice. For a sandwich-style meal, slice the sausages and spoon everything into soft hoagie rolls.
Hearty, comforting, and packed with classic Italian flavors, this sausage, peppers, and onions dish is a timeless favorite that never disappoints.
