As the warmer days arrive, ushering in grilling season and the excitement of tailgate parties, there’s one dish that consistently earns a top spot on our menu: **Grilled Italian Sausages with Peppers and Onions**. This recipe is a vibrant celebration of classic flavors, combining succulent sweet Italian sausages with perfectly seasoned bell peppers and onions. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience, delivering that quintessential barbecue taste that truly hits the spot.
Can you feel the energy? Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the irresistible urge to fire up the grill. For me, few things are as satisfying as cooking outdoors, especially when it involves this incredible Italian sausage recipe. The tender, juicy sausages, paired with the sweet and savory medley of peppers and onions, create a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and exhilarating. It’s the kind of dish that transports you to a backyard barbecue, surrounded by good company and even better food.
One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity and speed, making it an ideal choice for a **quick dinner** on busy weeknights or a relaxed **weekend barbecue**. While your Italian sausages are sizzling to perfection on the grill, you can simultaneously prepare the peppers and onions. This can be done in a skillet right on your stovetop or, for an extra smoky flavor, directly on the grill using a sturdy grill basket. Whichever method you choose, the result is a mouthwatering combination that’s hard to resist. We absolutely adore this dish, and we’re confident it will become a cherished part of your family’s meal rotation too.
If you’re eager to explore more **easy grilling ideas**, we have plenty of other fantastic recipes to inspire your culinary adventures. Consider trying our Sweet and Sticky Grilled Chicken for a taste of irresistible glaze, or our Grilled Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut for a hearty, savory option. For those who enjoy a touch of heat and a burst of Asian-inspired flavors, our Sweet Heat Grilled Shrimp Skewers are an absolute must-try. Each of these recipes offers a delightful way to make the most of your grill and the beautiful weather.
This post is proudly sponsored by Paisley Farm Foods. My enthusiasm for their products and all opinions expressed here are entirely my own!
The Perfect Companion: Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad
My friends at Paisley Farm Foods and I share a common goal: to bring you incredibly delicious, homecooked meals without the unnecessary fuss. We believe in creating food that you can feel truly good about serving to your loved ones, focusing on quality ingredients and straightforward preparation. This ethos perfectly complements our Italian Sausage recipe, offering both convenience and wholesome goodness.
Just as effortlessly as this Italian Sausage recipe comes together, so does a delightful and nutritious side of **Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad**! This vibrant salad is the epitome of convenience – simply open a jar, pour it into a bowl, and serve. It’s my ultimate go-to side dish, offering a refreshing counterpoint to richer flavors. While it’s delicious any time of year, during grilling season, its crisp, tangy profile is even more spectacular, making it an indispensable addition to any outdoor feast.
Essential Ingredients for Grilled Italian Sausages with Peppers and Onions
To create this irresistible grilled delight, you’ll need just a few key components:
Sweet Italian Sausages: These are our top choice for their balanced flavor, offering a hint of fennel and a touch of sweetness. However, feel free to personalize your meal! Opt for a **mild Italian sausage** for a gentler flavor, or select a **hot Italian sausage** if you’re looking to add a spicy kick that tantalizes the taste buds. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability.
Bell Peppers: For a visually appealing and flavor-rich dish, I recommend using a colorful trio of red, yellow, and green bell peppers. You might even find them pre-sliced and packaged as “stop light” peppers at your local grocery store. This time, I enhanced the vibrancy by adding some orange bell peppers as well. Any combination will work beautifully, contributing varying degrees of sweetness and crispness to the medley.
Yellow Onion: A large, sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced, provides a wonderful aromatic base for the peppers. Its natural sweetness mellows beautifully when sautéed, complementing the other flavors. If you prefer larger, more substantial pieces of onion, feel free to cut them into wedges instead of slices.
Olive Oil: I always reach for extra virgin olive oil for its robust flavor, which enhances the vegetables as they cook. However, any good quality olive oil will suffice, providing the necessary medium for sautéing and adding a rich, fruity note.
Tony Chachere’s Seasoning: This **Creole seasoning** is a game-changer, infusing the peppers and onions with an incredible depth of flavor and a gentle spice. If you don’t have it on hand, don’t worry! You can easily substitute it with another seasoning blend like Italian or Cajun, or even create your own bespoke blend using a combination of your favorite spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of cayenne for warmth.
Oregano: Dried oregano offers an earthy, aromatic touch that ties all the flavors together. If you have fresh oregano available, that would be an excellent substitution, imparting an even brighter, more herbaceous note. Fresh basil also makes for a delightful alternative, adding a sweet, peppery aroma.
How to Master Grilled Italian Sausages and Peppers
Crafting this delicious dish is straightforward, promising maximum flavor with minimal effort:
Step 1: Grill the Sausages to Perfection. Start by preparing your grill. Preheat it to high heat, aiming for approximately 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230°C). Once hot, carefully place the Italian sausages directly onto the preheated grill grates. Close the lid to allow for even cooking and grill the sausages for about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the sausage reaches a safe 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74°C), ensuring they are thoroughly cooked and deliciously browned.
Step 2: Prepare the Flavorful Peppers and Onions. While your sausages are about halfway through their grilling process, it’s the perfect time to begin cooking the vibrant peppers and onions. This ensures everything finishes around the same time for a perfectly coordinated meal.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics. First, generously coat a large cast-iron skillet with olive oil. Heat the skillet over medium heat, either on your stovetop or, for a true outdoor cooking experience, directly on the grill grates. Once the oil is shimmering, add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet. Sauté them, stirring occasionally, until they become wonderfully tender and slightly caramelized. You can adjust the cooking time to achieve your preferred level of tenderness – some like them crisp-tender, while others prefer them soft and sweet.
Step 4: Season and Serve. Once the vegetables have reached your desired tenderness, generously sprinkle them with Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning and dried oregano. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the peppers and onions are evenly coated with these incredible flavors.
Step 5: Assemble Your Masterpiece. Take your perfectly grilled sweet Italian sausages and nestle them into soft hoagie rolls or your favorite hot dog buns. Pile a generous spoonful of the sautéed, seasoned peppers and onions on top of each sausage, creating a colorful and delicious sandwich.
Step 6: Enjoy! Serve your **Grilled Italian Sausages with Peppers and Onions** immediately while hot, ideally alongside a refreshing side like Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad for a complete and utterly satisfying meal.
This delightful sausage and peppers recipe is also excellent for meal prep! It will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply defrost it in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave for a quick and easy re-do of a delicious classic.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If this mouthwatering **peppers and onions recipe for Italian sausages** has captured your heart (and your appetite!), make sure you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go, so you can easily find it whenever that grilling craving strikes. Sharing is caring, and this recipe is definitely worth sharing!
What to Serve with Italian Sausage Peppers and Onions?
The beauty of these **Italian sausages with peppers and onions** lies in their versatility. While they are fantastic on their own, or in a roll, they pair exceptionally well with a variety of side dishes. My personal favorite is the **Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad**, which offers a refreshing, tangy contrast. If you want to get creative with your bean salad, try dressing it up into one of these delicious recipes: a zesty Italian Bean Salad, a flavorful Mexican Bean Salad, a comforting Creamy Italian Four Bean Pasta Salad, or a hearty Five Bean Ham & Rice Salad.
Beyond bean salads, any number of classic side dishes or fresh salads would complement these sausages and peppers perfectly. Think crispy potato salad, creamy coleslaw, a simple garden salad, or even a side of roasted potatoes to complete your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Hearty Meal
What do Italians eat sausage and peppers with? Traditionally, sausage and peppers are considered a popular Italian street food, most commonly served inside a crusty Italian roll or sturdy sandwich bread. The bread soaks up all the delicious juices, making for a truly authentic experience.
What can you serve sausage peppers and onions over? While hoagie rolls are a classic choice, these flavorful sausage, peppers, and onions are incredibly versatile. They can be enjoyed over a bed of fluffy white rice or pasta for a more substantial meal. For an elevated touch, serving them in brioche buns would beautifully complement their rich flavors, adding a hint of sweetness.
Do they eat sausage and peppers in Italy? Yes, absolutely! The combination of sausage and peppers is indeed enjoyed in Italy. It’s a beloved dish that often appears as street food, celebrated for its robust flavors and satisfying nature.
Delicious Substitutions and Creative Variations
One of the many wonderful aspects of this **Italian sausage and peppers recipe** is how easily it can be adapted to suit your preferences or what you have on hand:
Sausage Choices: Feel free to experiment with different types of sausage. Whether you prefer the fiery kick of **spicy Italian sausages**, the leaner profile of **chicken sausages**, or the wholesome goodness of **turkey sausages**, each will bring its unique character to the dish.
Bell Pepper Variety: Instead of using a trio of bell peppers, you can simplify by using just red, green, or yellow bell peppers. Each color offers a slightly different sweetness level and visual appeal.
Add a Sauce: For an extra layer of flavor and moisture, drizzle some of your favorite marinara sauce over the top of your assembled sausage and peppers. Just be sure to have extra napkins ready!
Easy Cleanup Method: When cooking for a crowd or enjoying an outdoor adventure like camping, prepare the peppers and onions in a disposable aluminum pan. This makes for incredibly easy cleanup, allowing you more time to savor the moment.
- Prepare this recipe as a **skillet meal**: slice the cooked sausages into bite-sized pieces and toss them directly with the sautéed peppers and onions. For an even more filling and comforting meal, consider adding cubed potatoes to the skillet, allowing them to soften and absorb all the delicious flavors.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results
Achieving the best **grilled sausage and peppers** is all about a few simple techniques:
Pre-coating Vegetables: For a more even distribution of olive oil and seasoning, instead of adding the oil directly to the pan, you can place your sliced onions and peppers in a large bowl. Drizzle them with a bit of olive oil and toss them thoroughly before transferring them to the hot pan. This ensures every piece is beautifully coated.
Foil Pack Method: If you prefer to cook your peppers and onions with indirect heat on the grill, foil packs are a fantastic option. Simply combine the vegetables with olive oil and seasoning in a sturdy packet made from folded aluminum foil. This method yields tender, steamy vegetables with minimal char.
Stovetop Alternative: No outdoor grill? No problem! You can easily cook the Italian sausages, peppers, and onions in a cast iron pan or a large frying pan right on your stove. The flavors will still be outstanding, offering a delicious meal any time of year.
Why We Absolutely Love Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad
The **Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad** is more than just a convenient side; it’s a wonderfully nutritious and versatile addition to any meal. This salad is celebrated for being low-calorie, healthy, dairy-free, and gluten-free, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary needs. It also boasts a significant amount of plant-based protein, thanks to its inclusion of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), which are one of nature’s top plant-based protein sources. The salad features a delightful blend of green, kidney, garbanzo, pinto, and wax beans, all expertly accented with freshly diced onions and crisp red peppers. It offers a unique sweet pickled taste straight from the jar, making it a refreshing and flavorful standalone dish. But its versatility doesn’t stop there! This bean salad also shines as a fantastic additive to hearty meals like chili or a comforting ground beef & noodle skillet meal, adding texture and a burst of flavor to your favorite recipes.
Explore All My Paisley Farm Recipes Here!
To discover where you can pick up delicious **Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad** or any of their other fabulous products, simply visit their official website. Stay connected and inspired all year long by following Paisley Farm on their social media channels for great recipes, tips, and updates: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
More Delicious Ways to Cook Sausage
Sausage is an incredibly versatile ingredient, perfect for a wide range of comforting and flavorful dishes. If you’re a fan of sausage, here are even more fantastic recipes to inspire your cooking and expand your repertoire:
- BBQ Smoked Sausage with Kraut (as pictured above – a smoky, tangy delight!)
- Tortellini Soup with Sausage & Spinach (a hearty, warming bowl perfect for cooler evenings)
- Bucatini with Italian Sausage (a classic pasta dish with robust flavors)
- Sausage Cheese Dip (the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer)
- Smoked Polish Sausage with Sauerkraut (another wonderful combination of savory and tangy)
- Mom’s Pork Sausage Meatloaf (a comforting family favorite with a twist)
- Spicy Tater Tot Casserole with Sausage and Mushrooms (a fun, flavorful, and easy casserole)
This timeless combination of **grilled sausage, peppers, and onions** truly never disappoints. I particularly appreciate its flexibility, allowing me to effortlessly substitute ingredients based on what I have on hand or what’s freshest at the grocery store. It’s a testament to simple, delicious cooking. I’d love to hear from you – what’s your absolute favorite way to savor Italian sausage and peppers?
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Print Recipe
Sweet Italian Sausages with Peppers & Onions
Equipment
- Paisley Farm Five Bean Salad, 24 oz (Pack of 6)
- 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25″, Black
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle, 16.75 Inch x 9.5 Inch, Black
- Char-Broil 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- Traeger Pellet Grills Pro Series 780 Pellet Bronze Grill, Smoker
Ingredients
- 6 Sweet Italian Sausages
- 1 of each: red yellow, and green bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large sweet yellow onion sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to high heat or about 450 degrees F. Place the sausages directly on preheated grill grates, close the lid, and cook for about 5 or 6 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the sausage reaches 165 degrees F. When the sausages are about halfway cooked, cook your peppers and onions.
- Coat a large cast-iron skillet with oil and heat over medium heat either on your stovetop or your grill.
- Add the bell peppers and onions and saute until they become tender. You can give this process more or less time depending on your preference. Saute peppers and onions until they become tender. (you can give this process more or less time depending on your preference)
- Sprinkle with Tony Chachere’s and oregano, and toss to evenly season.
- Place grilled Sweet Italian Grilled Sausages in hoagie rolls or hot dog buns and top with peppers and onions.
- Serve hot.
Notes
You can also prepare the Italian Sausages in a skillet on your stovetop instead of the grill.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on March 23, 2015. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on April 26, 2023.