How to Cook Italian Sausages
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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!
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 the oven, on the grill, or on the stovetop. Whatever works best for you! While these are all great options, our favorite method is in a cast-iron skillet.
So why is this recipe so quick and 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 of time.
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!)
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.
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.
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 them 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 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.
Get the Complete (Printable) Hot Italian Sausage Links and Peppers Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Salt and pepper the onions and peppers to taste. Then stir the sausages back into the skillet to rewarm.
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.
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.
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:
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Minestrone Soup
- German Potato Salad
- Spicy Baked French Fries
- Tortellini Pasta Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly! Feel free to use chicken and apple, cheese and spinach, turkey sausage, sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or other variations you prefer.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Looking For More Easy Dinners? Be Sure To Also Try These Recipes:
- Kielbasa Apple Onion Skillet
- Italian Chicken Sausage and Roasted Fennel
- Chicken Sausage Apple Squash Sheet Pan Dinner
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers
- Sausage and Kale Soup
How to Cook Italian Sausages
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 Italian sausage links (I bought chicken sausages)
- 3 bell peppers varied colors
- 1 large onion
- Salt and pepper
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
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
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