Sausage Peppers Greens Skillet (Print Version)
Hearty skillet with Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and fresh greens. Quick 35-minute one-pan dinner.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb Italian sausage links (sweet or spicy), sliced 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 (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
# Directions:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove 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 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.
04 - Add the halved cherry tomatoes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to begin softening.
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 a single skillet, which means cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy after a long day.
- The peppers caramelize in the sausage drippings, creating a depth of flavor that tastes like you spent far more than 35 minutes on dinner.
- 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 the pieces will crumble during browning, thick coins hold their shape and stay juicy inside.
- If you are using spinach instead of kale or chard, add it in the last 2 minutes of cooking or it will turn mushy and disappear into nothing.
03 -
- Pre cooked sausages cut your active cooking time nearly in half, and they still brown up beautifully in the rendered fat.
- Resist the urge to stir the peppers constantly, letting them sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes at a time is what creates those sought after caramelized edges.