Sausage Peppers Greens Skillet (Print version)
Hearty skillet with Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, kale, and cherry tomatoes. Ready in 35 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage links, sweet or spicy, cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 medium red onion, sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 5 oz fresh greens such as kale, Swiss chard, or spinach, chopped
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Garnishes
12 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
13 - Grated Parmesan cheese
# Method:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the sausages to a plate and set aside. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
02 - In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with the sliced red onion. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and beginning to caramelize, about 8 minutes.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, taking care not to let it brown.
04 - Add the halved cherry tomatoes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften slightly.
05 - Return the browned sausages to the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Stir in the chopped greens, cover with a lid, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are cooked through and the greens are wilted and tender.
06 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with torn fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan which means you get maximum flavor and almost zero cleanup on a weeknight.
- The peppers get slightly sweet and charred while the sausage releases its spices into every bite of greens.
- It is naturally low carb and gluten free so you can serve it to almost anyone without a second thought.
02 -
- Do not slice the sausage too thin or it will dry out and lose all its juicy texture during the browning step.
- Resist the urge to stir the peppers constantly because the caramelization only happens when you let them sit against the hot pan.
- Covering the skillet when you add the greens is the trick that wilts them perfectly without needing extra oil or liquid.
03 -
- Precooked sausages cut your active cooking time nearly in half and still deliver great flavor especially if you get a good sear on the outside.
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because the even heat distribution makes a noticeable difference in how the peppers caramelize.