How To Cook Italian 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.

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!)

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. 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.

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:

Italian Pasta Salad Minestrone Soup German Potato Salad Spicy Baked French Fries Tortellini Pasta Salad

Looking For More Easy Dinners? Be Sure To 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