Basil Sausage Pepper Skillet

Featured in: One-Pot Cool Comfort Meals

This skillet dish combines juicy Italian sausage with sweet red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and a fragrant burst of fresh basil. Sautéed garlic and a touch of oregano add depth, while optional crushed red pepper flakes bring subtle heat. Ready in 35 minutes, it's perfect for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal. Serve with Parmesan and your favorite side like rice or crusty bread to complete the plate. Variations include swapping proteins or adding extra vegetables for personal taste.

Updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:28:00 GMT
Sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, bursting with tomatoes, ready to serve over rice. Save Pin
Sizzling Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, bursting with tomatoes, ready to serve over rice. | frostedthyme.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 quickly became a family favorite for busy weeknights when I served it last fall.

Ingredients

  • Italian sausages: 500 g (1 lb), 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)
  • Cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread: for serving (optional)

Instructions

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 cook:
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:
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.
Vibrant image of a Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper with colorful peppers and Italian sausage. Save Pin
Vibrant image of a Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper with colorful peppers and Italian sausage. | frostedthyme.com

This meal brings everyone to the table with smiles especially on chilly weeknights.

Required Tools

Large skillet Chefs knife Cutting board Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergen Information

Contains Pork if using pork sausages Dairy if using Parmesan cheese Gluten-Free if using gluten-free sausage and no bread pasta always check sausage labels for hidden allergens

Nutritional Information

Per serving Calories 410 Total Fat 30 g Carbohydrates 14 g Protein 21 g

Golden-brown sausage in a Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, a quick weeknight one-pan meal. Save Pin
Golden-brown sausage in a Basil-Boosted Sausage and Pepper Skillet Supper, a quick weeknight one-pan meal. | frostedthyme.com

For a hassle-free weeknight dinner this skillet supper hits every note of comfort and zest.

Questions & Answers

What type of sausage works best?

Italian sausages, either mild or spicy, are ideal for rich flavor and juicy texture. Chicken or turkey sausage can be used for a lighter option.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes, zucchini or mushrooms make great additions to enhance the vegetable variety and nutrition.

How do I avoid dairy in this dish?

Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative for serving.

What sides pair well with this skillet?

Cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread complement the flavors and help round out the meal.

Is this dish suitable for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, if gluten-free sausage is used and bread or pasta is avoided or substituted accordingly.

How can I enhance the flavor with herbs?

Fresh basil is bursting with aroma, while dried oregano deepens the savory notes in the skillet.

Basil Sausage Pepper Skillet

Quick, flavorful skillet with sausage, bell peppers, garlic, and fresh basil for a hearty dinner.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
All-In Time
35 minutes
By Frosted Thyme Madison Kelly


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American/Italian-Inspired

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Preferences Gluten-Free

What You'll 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

Cook Sausage: Add sausage slices and sauté until browned evenly, 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 red onion. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.

Step 04

Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Incorporate minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until tomatoes soften.

Step 05

Combine Sausage and Seasonings: Return sausage to skillet, add dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine and cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Serve: Plate hot, optionally topped with grated Parmesan; accompany with rice, pasta, or crusty bread as preferred.

Tools Needed

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

Allergen Details

Always check each item for allergens and ask a medical expert if unsure.
  • Contains pork if pork sausages are used; contains dairy if Parmesan cheese is added. Gluten-free when using gluten-free sausage and avoiding bread or pasta; verify sausage labels for hidden gluten.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

For reference only—please ask a healthcare professional if you need tailored advice.
  • Calorie Count: 410
  • Fat content: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 21 g