How to Cook Italian Sausage Links – We share the tried and true easy steps and tips to cook flavorful Italian sausages and peppers using the grill, oven, or stovetop!

Cast iron skillet with cooked bell peppers, onions, and sausage.

Why We Love This Italian Sausage Recipe

Wait, what time is it? There is nothing quite like that intense moment in the evening after a busy workday… When you’ve suddenly realized um, oh yeah, you have to make dinner!

Every home cook needs to have a series of trusty go-to recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less. (Because, hey, those nights happen!) This is why I recommend that you always keep a couple of ready-to-go proteins on hand. And packaged sausages are one of the best! They tend to have a long refrigerator shelf life, are easy to prepare, and are incredibly versatile to make all kinds of delicious family-friendly meals.

Italian Sausage and Peppers is a simple classic dish we make ALL the time. You can cook Italian sausages in 3 ways: in the oven, on the grill, or the stovetop. Whatever works best for you! While these are all great options, our favorite method to make traditional Italian sausages is in a cast-iron skillet.

Top down view two plates with Italian sausage and peppers.

What Kind of Sausage Should I Use for Italian Sausage and Peppers?

The best kind of sausage to use when cooking Italian sausages and peppers are classic, pre-cooked Italian Sausage links. It’s what makes this recipe so easy!

Most packaged Italian sausages are already cooked when you buy them. So really, you are just warming them and caramelizing the exterior. This is done in only about 10 minutes, then the onions and bell peppers are seared right in the same skillet.

Pro Tip: If you buy raw sausages from the meat counter, they just need a few more minutes to cook.

Here we share the simple steps to cook Italian sausage and peppers, with tips to prepare the links on the stovetop, oven bake, grill, or even boil. (But head’s up – boiling is not recommended. Keep reading to learn why!)

Black speckled plate with seared peppers and onions and two sausage links. One has been cut in half to show interior of the sausage.

Ingredients You Need

  • Butter – unsalted
  • Italian sausage links – You can buy fresh sausages or pre-cooked smoked sausages.
  • Bell peppers – any color, sliced
  • Onion – peeled and sliced
  • Salt and pepper – to taste

We used chicken sausages, yet this recipe can also be made with traditional pork sausage, beef sausage, hot Italian sausage, or even plant-based meatless veggie sausage.

Two packages of Aidells chicken Italian Sausages, with raw whole onion and bell peppers in the background.

How to Cook Italian Sausage on the Stove

First, prep your ingredients. Remove the bell pepper seeds and slice them into thin strips. Then peel and slice the onions.

Cutting board with sliced peppers, onions, and whole Italian sausage links.

Set a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, place the Italian sausages into the skillet.

Sear the sausages for 2 to 4 minutes per side, until the skin looks slightly blistered or charred. (6-8 minutes per side for raw sausages.)

Showing how to cook Italian sausage links in a cast iron skillet.

Move the Italian sausages and place them on a holding plate.

Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, add in the onions. Sauté the onions for 2 minutes.

Sliced onions seared in a cast iron skillet.

Then stir the bell peppers and continue to sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes. The onion should be soft, but I prefer if the bell peppers are still slightly firm.

Salt and pepper the onions and peppers to taste. Then stir the sausages back into the skillet to rewarm.

Get the Complete (Printable) Hot Italian Sausage Links and Peppers Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Sliced bell peppers and onions seared in a skillet.

How to Cook Italian Sausage on the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium heat. For pre-cooked sausages, grill for about 5-8 minutes, making sure to flip them over to cook both sides.

For raw sausages, cook for about 12-16 minutes.

Cast iron skillet with cooked links, peppers, and onions.

How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Whether you are using pre-cooked or raw sausages, you will want to cook them for about 25 minutes.

Top down view two plates with two links of cooked sausages, peppers, and onions on each plate.

Tips & Tricks

  • If using raw Italian sausages, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked to 165 F. It is important to cook them at medium heat, so that they can sear on the outside while also getting cooked all the way through on the inside without the outside burning first!
  • If your sausages are frozen, make sure to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking them.
  • Serve as a sandwich or on top of pasta! The way to eat your Italian sausages is never ending, but an easy way to serve them up is on some Italian bread or on a bed of fresh pasta!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Hot Italian Sausages as-is with peppers and onions for a low-carb meal. Or, pile the sausages, onions, and peppers on soft hoagie rolls and top with some creamy provolone cheese and tangy marinara sauce! As a side dish, serve these with some of my personal favorites:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be made with other flavors of sausage?

Certainly! Feel free to use chicken and apple, cheese and spinach, turkey sausage, sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or other variations you prefer.

How long do cooked Italian sausages last?

Once the sausages have been cooked they will keep well for up to another 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and store.

What is Italian sausage?

Italian sausage is a type of sausage that is typically seasoned with fennel seed or anise. You can find all kinds of different Italian sausage variations including both sweet Italian sausage and spicy Italian sausage.

What is the best way to reheat leftover Italian sausage?

To reheat leftover sausage and peppers, you can reheat in the microwave until heated through or heat them up on the stove in a skillet!

Is it better to fry sausages in butter or oil?

When you are cooking sausages on the stove, it is best to fry them up with butter. The butter complements the flavors of sausage better! Plus, you don’t need to be cooking the sausage at such a high heat that requires a high-smoke point oil. Fry them on medium heat with some butter!

Can I boil Italian sausages?

Technically you can, but this method of cooking doesn’t result in the best flavor. For best results, cook the sausages in a skillet, on the grill, or in the oven.

Side view two cooked sausage links with bell peppers and onions on a plate.

Looking For More Easy Dinners? Be Sure To Also Try These Recipes:

How to Cook Italian Sausages

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Learn the easy steps and best tips for how to cook flavorful Italian sausages links on the grill, in the oven, or seared in a skillet on the stovetop. Plus our quick recipe for one skillet sausage and peppers with onions!
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, place the Italian sausages into the skillet.
  • Sear the sausages for 2 to 4 minutes per side, until the skin looks slightly blistered or charred. (6-8 minutes per side for raw sausages) Move the Italian sausages and place on a holding plate.
  • Add the remaining butter to the skillet. Once melted, add in the onions. Sauté the onions for 2 minutes, then stir and the bell peppers and continue to sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes. The onion should be soft, but I prefer if the bell peppers are still slightly firm.
  • Salt and pepper the onions and peppers to taste. Then stir the sausages back into the skillet to rewarm. Serve as-is for a low carb main dish, or pile the sausages, onions, and peppers on soft hoagie rolls and top with provolone cheese.

Video

Notes

For Cooked/Smoked Sausages:
Italian Sausages in the oven – 350 degrees F, 25 minutes
Italian Sausages on the grill – Medium heat, 5-8 minutes (2-4 mins per side)
In a skillet – medium heat, 5-8 minutes (2-4 mins per side)
For Raw Sausages:
Italian Sausages in the oven: 350 degrees F, 25 minutes
Italian Sausages on the grill – Medium heat, 12-16 minutes (6-8 mins per side)
In a skillet – medium heat, 12-16 minutes (6-8 mins per side)
Boiled? Yes, you can boil raw or cooked Italian sausages, but why?? This just allows the flavor and juices to escape into the boiling water. I would always suggest cooking them another way. Like with peppers and onions in a skillet.
Once the sausages have been cooked they will keep well for up to another 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing.

Nutrition

Serving: 2pc, Calories: 854kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 76g, Saturated Fat: 29g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 34g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 185mg, Sodium: 1691mg, Potassium: 765mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 506IU, Vitamin C: 78mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Main, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Author: Sommer Collier
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