Basil Sausage Pepper Skillet

Featured in: Simple Rustic Sheet-Pan Meals

This skillet meal features browned Italian sausage paired with sautéed red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Seasoned with oregano and red pepper flakes, it’s finished off with fresh torn basil for a fragrant touch. Ready in just over 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner. Serve alongside rice, pasta, or crusty bread and add grated Parmesan if desired.

Variations include swapping sausage types or adding extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms. This easy dish offers a satisfying, fresh blend of savory and herbaceous notes for a balanced meal.

Updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:57:00 GMT
Sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, with sausage and colorful peppers, ready to serve. Pin It
Sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, with sausage and colorful peppers, ready to serve. | birchoven.com

A vibrant, quick one-pan meal featuring juicy sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a burst of fresh basil for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner.

I first served this to my family on a busy weeknight and it quickly became a favorite due to its simplicity and bold flavors.

Ingredients

  • Italian sausages: 500 g (1 lb), sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Red bell pepper: 1 large, sliced into strips
  • Yellow bell pepper: 1 large, sliced into strips
  • Red onion: 1 medium, thinly sliced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
  • Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
  • Crushed red pepper flakes: 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves: 1 packed cup, torn
  • Parmesan cheese: freshly grated, for serving (optional)
  • Cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread: for serving (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2:
Add sausage slices and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
Step 3:
In the same skillet, add red and yellow bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Step 4:
Stir in minced garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften.
Step 5:
Return sausage to the skillet. Add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine and cook for 5 more minutes, until everything is heated through and flavors meld.
Step 6:
Remove from heat. Stir in torn basil leaves just before serving.
Step 7:
Serve hot, topped with Parmesan if desired, alongside rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Pin It
| birchoven.com

This dish became a go-to meal that brought my family together on hectic evenings, enjoying its comforting and bold flavors.

Optional Extras

Try adding zucchini or mushrooms for extra veggies or serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and your choice of rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

Allergen Information

Contains pork if using pork sausages, dairy if using Parmesan cheese. Always check sausage labels for hidden allergens. Gluten-free if using gluten-free sausage and no bread or pasta.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 410 calories, 30 g total fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 21 g protein.

One-pan Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper: a flavorful, Italian-inspired dinner with fresh basil. Pin It
One-pan Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper: a flavorful, Italian-inspired dinner with fresh basil. | birchoven.com

This skillet supper is sure to become a staple that brings ease and delight to your weeknight dinners.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of sausage works best?

Italian sausages, mild or spicy, provide the best flavor and texture for this skillet dish.

Can I use different vegetables?

Yes, adding zucchini or mushrooms complements the peppers and adds extra nutrition.

How should I cook the sausage?

Brown the sausage slices over medium-high heat until cooked through and slightly crisp on the edges.

What herbs enhance the flavor?

Fresh basil added at the end brings brightness, while dried oregano adds a warm, earthy note.

Can this dish be made gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free sausage and avoid bread or pasta sides to keep it gluten-free.

What is a good pairing for serving?

Serve with cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Basil Sausage Pepper Skillet

Quick skillet dish with sausage, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil finished with Parmesan.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Published by Zoey Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American/Italian-Inspired

Servings Yielded 4 Total Servings

Dietary Information Gluten-Free

What You'll Need

Proteins

01 1 lb Italian sausages (mild or spicy), sliced into 1-inch pieces

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into strips
03 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
04 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
05 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Herbs & Seasonings

01 1 teaspoon dried oregano
02 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
03 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
04 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Optional Extras

01 Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
02 Cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread, for serving

How To Make It

Step 01

Heat oil: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 02

Brown sausages: Add sausage slices and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 03

Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add red and yellow bell peppers and red onion. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften slightly.

Step 04

Add garlic and tomatoes: Stir in minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.

Step 05

Combine sausage and seasonings: Return sausages to skillet. Add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 06

Finish with basil: Remove from heat and stir in torn fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Step 07

Serve: Serve hot, optionally topped with Parmesan cheese and accompanied by rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

Tools Needed

  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergy Details

Please double-check ingredients for allergens and reach out to your healthcare provider if uncertain.
  • Contains pork (if using pork sausages) and dairy (if Parmesan is added). Confirm gluten-free status when using gluten-free sausage and avoiding bread/pasta.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

These nutrition estimates are for general reference only—always consult your doctor for specific advice.
  • Kcal: 410
  • Fats: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 21 g