Oven Roasted Italian Sausage and Peppers

Oven Roasted Italian Sausage and Peppers, also known as “salsiccia e peperoni al forno,” is a comforting Italian-inspired one-pan meal made with simple, hearty ingredients. Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, onions, olive oil, and seasonings roast together until the sausage is tender and the vegetables become soft, flavorful, and lightly caramelized. It is an easy weeknight dinner, a great make-ahead meal, and a versatile recipe that can be served on its own, with crusty bread, over polenta, tossed with pasta, or piled into a sandwich roll.

Classic Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers is a classic combination with roots in Southern Italian cooking. It is a rustic dish that can be prepared in several ways, but the foundation remains the same: savory sausage cooked with peppers until everything becomes rich and aromatic. In many Italian versions, the sausages are roasted whole. In this recipe, the links are cut into bite-sized pieces before roasting, making the dish easy to serve straight from the oven.

Some versions are very simple, using only sausage, peppers, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. This oven roasted Italian sausage and peppers recipe adds onions, pickled mild banana peppers, jarred roasted red peppers, and Italian seasoning for extra depth. The roasted red peppers break down as they cook and help create a light, flavorful sauce in the bottom of the roasting pan.

What type of sausage is best for this recipe?

Raw Italian sausage links are the best choice for this recipe. These pork-based sausages are sold in casings and are commonly labeled as hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausage in the United States. Any of the three varieties will work, and you can use one type or a combination depending on your taste.

Hot Italian sausage includes spicy red pepper or chile for heat. Mild Italian sausage has the classic sausage flavor without added spice. Sweet Italian sausage is usually mild but often includes fennel seed or ground fennel, which gives it a gentle anise-like flavor. All three versions pair beautifully with roasted peppers and onions.

Ingredients

Make this Oven Roasted Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe with the following ingredients:

• Italian Sausage: Hot, mild, or sweet Italian sausage links all work well. Cut the links into 1-inch bite-sized pieces before roasting.
• Bell Peppers: Green and red bell peppers are a classic choice, but yellow or orange bell peppers also add great color and sweetness.
• Onions: Yellow onions are preferred because they roast well and develop a sweet, savory flavor.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil coats the sausage and vegetables, helps prevent sticking, and encourages roasting.
• Pickled Mild Banana Peppers: These add a little tang and brightness without making the dish overly spicy.
• Jarred Roasted Red Peppers: Since they are already roasted, they soften further in the oven and help create a light sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of Italian herbs adds familiar flavor and aroma.
• Kosher Salt: Seasons the sausage and vegetables.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and balance.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Substitutions

This recipe is flexible and easy to adapt based on what you have available.

• Bell Peppers: Any mild, sweet pepper can be used. Red and green bell peppers are easy to find, but other mild varieties also work.
• Yellow Onion: Red onion, white onion, or sweet onion can be substituted successfully.
• Banana Peppers: Mild banana peppers keep the dish balanced, but hot banana peppers, jalapeños, or serranos can be used if you prefer more heat.

How to Make Italian Sausage and Peppers

This oven roasted Italian sausage and peppers recipe is very simple. There are no complicated techniques or precise cuts required. Slice the sausage, chop the peppers and onions, combine everything with olive oil and seasoning, then roast in a large pan. Stir the mixture every 20 minutes so the vegetables cook evenly and the sausage browns throughout. After about 90 minutes, the sausage will be cooked through and the peppers and onions will be tender and full of flavor.

Equipment

You do not need special equipment to make this one-pan dinner recipe.

• A large bowl for mixing the sausage, peppers, onions, oil, and seasonings.
• A large roasting pan or deep baking dish that can hold all of the ingredients. A flat baking sheet is not recommended because the sausage and vegetables release juices while roasting, and a shallow pan may spill.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Italian Sausage and Peppers

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

• Cut the Italian sausage links into 1-inch pieces. Chop the bell peppers and onions into bite-sized pieces. Drain the jarred roasted red peppers, cut them into pieces, and measure the remaining ingredients.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients and transfer

• Add the sausage, peppers, onions, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a large bowl. Mix well with a large spoon or clean hands until everything is coated. Transfer the mixture to a large roasting pan.

Step 3: Roast

• Roast in a preheated 375°F oven for about 90 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve hot.

Variations

Here are a few simple ways to change this recipe:

• Make it hot: Add Calabrian chile pepper, jalapeños, serranos, or another spicy pepper for extra heat.
• Keep it traditional and simple: Omit the onion, banana peppers, and jarred roasted red peppers. Leave the sausages whole and roast with bell peppers, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Add tomatoes: Add crushed tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for a brighter, more acidic variation.

Storage

How to store leftovers in the fridge:

Let the sausage and peppers cool to room temperature, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can you make ahead and freeze sausage and peppers?

Yes. This recipe freezes well. Place the cooked and cooled sausage and peppers in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. For best results, thaw before reheating.

How to reheat sausage and peppers:

Place the portion you want to reheat in a saucepan, cover, and warm over low to medium-low heat until the sausage is hot. This method helps preserve the texture and keeps the dish moist.

Troubleshooting

Prevent burning: Stir the mixture about every 20 minutes while it roasts. This brings the ingredients from the bottom to the top, helps the sausage cook evenly, and prevents the exposed vegetables, especially the onions, from burning too much.

What to Make with Italian Sausage and Peppers

• Serve it on its own: Spoon it into a bowl for a hearty, low-carb dinner.
• Add crusty Italian bread: Bread is perfect for soaking up the savory pan juices.
• Serve over polenta: Creamy, buttery polenta makes this dish even more comforting.
• Make a sub: Pile the roasted sausage and peppers into a hoagie or sub roll.
• Toss with pasta: Use the pan juices to coat cooked pasta, then add the sausage and peppers.
• Serve over rice: For a simple nontraditional option, serve the mixture over white rice.

What Wines Pair with Italian Sausage and Peppers?

This full-flavored dish pairs well with several wines. Red wine options include Malbec, Nero d’Avola, Italian Primitivo, California Zinfandel, or Australian Shiraz. If you prefer white wine, a bright and flavorful Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, or Riesling can also work well with the sausage, peppers, and onions.

Looking for More Italian Recipes?

If you enjoy classic Italian recipes, this sausage and peppers dish is a great addition to your regular dinner rotation. It is simple, satisfying, and easy to serve in several different ways throughout the week.

FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these classic Italian-style dishes:

Pairing

These appetizers pair well with Italian sausage and peppers:

📖 Recipe

Oven Roasted Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

This classic Italian one-pan dinner combines roasted Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and simple seasonings for a hearty meal any night of the week.

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins

Course Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8

Calories 477 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Italian sausage links
• 4 bell peppers
• 2 large yellow onions
• 1 jar, 16 ounces, roasted red peppers in water drained
• ¾ cup mild banana pepper rings pickled
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Slice the sausages into 1-inch-thick pieces and place them in a large bowl. Cut the bell peppers and onions into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bowl. Drain the jarred roasted red peppers, cut them into pieces, and add them as well. Add the banana peppers, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and mix until everything is evenly coated.
• Transfer the mixture to a large roasting pan. Roast for about 90 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes and bringing the ingredients from the bottom of the pan to the top. Remove from the oven when the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 41g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 86mg
Sodium: 2204mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 4g

Keyword classic Italian recipes, Italian sausage, one-pan dinner, sausage and peppers

Food Safety

• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
• Wash your hands after handling raw meat.
• Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, or thoroughly clean and sanitize the cutting board before using it again.
• Do not leave food sitting at room temperature, between 40°F and 140°F, for extended periods.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.

Follow current food safety guidance for safe handling, cooking, and storage.