Transformative One-Pan Sausage and Peppers

I’ve never cooked sausages this way before, but it’s truly transformative!  The sausages turn beautifully browned and juicy while the onions and peppers become tender, caramelized, and packed with flavor. An easy one-pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs Italian sausages, mild or hot
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
2. Add the remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized.
3. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and honey. Stir well, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Return the sausages to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the sausages are completely cooked through.
6. Remove the lid and simmer for another 3–5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the sausages and vegetables.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Serving Ideas

Serve with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or roasted potatoes to soak up that delicious sauce.

Pro Tip

Brown the sausages first and finish them in the flavorful pepper-and-onion sauce. This simple step gives the dish much deeper flavor while keeping the sausages juicy and tender.