Basil Boosted Sausage Pepper

Featured in: Simple Spiced Skillet Meals

This skillet features juicy Italian sausage slices cooked to a golden brown alongside sweet red and yellow bell peppers and tender red onion. Minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes add extra layers of freshness and depth. Dried oregano and optional crushed red pepper flakes season the dish perfectly, while torn fresh basil leaves added at the end enhance the vibrant aroma and taste. Ready in just 35 minutes, this one-pan supper pairs well with rice, pasta, or crusty bread and is adaptable to different sausage types for dietary needs.

Updated on Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:11:00 GMT
Golden, sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, bursting with fresh basil and Italian sausage flavor. Pin it
Golden, sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, bursting with fresh basil and Italian sausage flavor. | spiceshallows.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.

This skillet supper has become our go-to for busy nights when we want something hearty yet fresh with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

  • Italian sausages: 500 g (1 lb), mild or spicy, 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)
  • Rice, pasta, or crusty bread: for serving (optional)

Instructions

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Heat oil:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook sausage:
Add sausage slices and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
Sauté vegetables:
In the same skillet, add red and yellow bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Add garlic and tomatoes:
Stir in minced garlic and cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften.
Combine and season:
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.
Finish with basil:
Remove from heat. Stir in torn basil leaves just before serving.
Serve:
Serve hot topped with Parmesan if desired alongside rice pasta or crusty bread.
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Keep kitchen knives sharp for safer slicing, chopping, and precise prep during everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
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Keep kitchen knives sharp for safer slicing, chopping, and precise prep during everyday cooking.
Check price on Amazon
Pin it
| spiceshallows.com

Our family gathers around the table excited to dig in especially when the fresh basil aroma fills the kitchen.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

25 minutes

Serving Suggestions

Pairs well with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio and can be served over rice pasta or with crusty bread.

A delicious, one-pan Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper showcasing vibrant peppers, perfect for serving. Pin it
A delicious, one-pan Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper showcasing vibrant peppers, perfect for serving. | spiceshallows.com
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Serve homemade meals comfortably with sturdy utensils and steak knives for everyday dining and special dinners.
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This dish balances quick preparation with fresh vibrant flavors making it perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

Recipe Q&A

Can I use chicken sausage instead of Italian sausage?

Yes, substituting chicken sausage will create a lighter version while keeping the overall flavors balanced and satisfying.

What kind of basil is best for this dish?

Fresh sweet basil leaves are recommended as they provide a fragrant, bright note that complements the peppers and sausage perfectly.

How do I prevent the peppers from becoming too soft?

Sauté the peppers and onions just until they start to soften but still retain some crispness, about 5 minutes, to keep texture in the skillet.

Can I make this meal dairy-free?

Yes, simply omit the Parmesan cheese topping to keep the dish free of dairy while maintaining rich flavors from the herbs and sausage.

What side dishes pair well with this skillet?

Serve with steamed rice, cooked pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices and round out the meal.

Basil Boosted Sausage Pepper

A quick, vibrant skillet combining sausage, sweet peppers, and fresh basil for a flavorful meal.

Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
25 minutes
Overall time
35 minutes
Created by James Fisher


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Style American/Italian-Inspired

Makes 4 Portions

Diet details No Gluten

What You 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 ½ 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

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

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

Step 04

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

Step 05

Combine sausage and seasonings: Return browned sausage to skillet. Incorporate dried oregano, optional crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly and cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Serve: Plate the dish hot, optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese, accompanied by cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread as preferred.

Tools & Equipment

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

Allergy alerts

Review every ingredient for allergens and consult your physician or specialist if you’re unsure.
  • Contains pork if pork sausages are used
  • Contains dairy if Parmesan cheese is served
  • Gluten-free only if gluten-free sausage and no bread or pasta are used; verify sausage labeling for hidden allergens

Nutritional info (for each serving)

This info is for reference only and isn’t medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 410
  • Fats: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 21 g