Savory Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

After hearing rave reviews from a close friend about Ina Garten’s effortlessly delicious Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers, I knew this comforting classic was destined to become a staple in our kitchen. This recipe promised vibrant flavors and minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights and relaxed weekend meals alike.

Unlike traditional stovetop methods that often lead to splatters and multiple pans, this Oven Roasted Sausage and Peppers Recipe leverages the magic of the oven. Roasting not only contains the mess but also caramelizes the vegetables and sausage, concentrating their natural sweetness and savory notes into an explosion of flavor that’s simply irresistible. The result is a deeply satisfying meal with beautifully tender-crisp vegetables and perfectly cooked sausages, all achieved with surprisingly little effort.

Why You’ll Love This Effortless Sheet Pan Dinner

If you’re looking for a meal that consistently earns rave reviews from your family while keeping your kitchen clean and your schedule free, this Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers recipe is your answer. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a culinary experience that combines convenience with gourmet flavors.

• Unmatched Flavor Concentration: Roasting the vegetables and sausage at high heat brings out their inherent sweetness and creates a delicious char. This process intensifies flavors far beyond what stovetop cooking can achieve, making every bite incredibly rich and satisfying.
• Remarkably Easy Preparation: The beauty of a sheet pan dinner lies in its simplicity. With just a bit of chopping and tossing, you can have a gourmet meal ready for the oven. This hands-off cooking method means more time for you and less time tethered to the stove.
• Effortless Cleanup: One of the biggest advantages of sheet pan meals is the minimal cleanup. By cooking everything on one or two sheet pans lined with parchment paper, you dramatically reduce the number of dishes, making post-dinner tidying a breeze.
• Incredibly Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer a hearty main course served directly on a plate with a side of crusty bread, or a delicious sandwich nestled in a soft bun, this dish adapts to your craving. It’s perfect for meal prepping, entertaining, or a casual family dinner.
• A Wholesome and Balanced Meal: Packed with colorful bell peppers, sweet onions, and lean Italian sausage, this recipe offers a balanced plate of protein and vegetables. Roasting also minimizes the need for excess oils, making it a healthier alternative to fried versions.

I must admit, I was a latecomer to the sheet pan sausage and peppers trend. However, after preparing a batch and watching my family devour it, nestled in soft buns with a hint of provolone, I was completely converted. This wasn’t a dish from my Iowa childhood, but I’m certain my dad would have loved it as much as we do now! If you enjoy comforting, easy meals, you might also like these Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes.

Mastering the Sheet Pan Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

While a stovetop version of sausage and peppers exists, involving initial browning of sausage followed by sautéing vegetables before combining, the roasted sheet pan method offers a superior flavor and much easier cleanup. Here’s how to achieve perfectly roasted sausage and peppers:

1. Prepare Your Vegetables: Begin by slicing your bell peppers, poblano peppers, and onions into uniform strips and wedges. Mince your garlic. Consistency in size ensures even cooking. Toss these prepared vegetables with a generous amount of olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano directly on a large sheet pan. Ensure they are spread in a single layer to promote proper roasting and caramelization, rather than steaming.
2. Roast the Sausage Separately (Initially): For optimal browning and to prevent the vegetables from becoming greasy, arrange your Italian sausage links on a separate sheet pan or shallow roasting pan. Drizzle them lightly with olive oil. This initial separation allows both components to roast perfectly without interfering with each other’s texture and color.
3. Initial Roasting Phase: Transfer both sheet pans to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Roast for approximately 20 minutes. During this time, the sausages will begin to brown and cook through, while the vegetables will start to soften and develop a beautiful golden hue.
4. Combine and Enhance Flavors: After the initial roasting, carefully transfer the partially cooked sausages to the sheet pan with the vegetables. Add the grape tomatoes, which will burst and release their sweet juices, and pour in the dry white wine. The wine deglazes the pan, adding a wonderful depth of flavor and helping to create a light, savory sauce as everything finishes cooking together.
5. Final Roast and Serve: Continue roasting for another 25-30 minutes, turning the sausages once or twice to ensure even browning. The vegetables should be tender-crisp, and the sausages fully cooked with a nice crust. Once done, remove from the oven, scatter fresh basil chiffonade over the top for a fragrant finish. Serve immediately, perhaps with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread or tucked into warm hot dog buns with a slice of melty Provolone.

This brilliant sheet pan method, a true testament to simple yet sophisticated cooking, comes from Ina Garten’s renowned cookbook, “Modern Comfort Food.” Her innovative approach of roasting vegetables and sausage simultaneously on separate pans (then combining) guarantees ideal textures and maximizes flavor. When our grown sons joined us for dinner, this dish was devoured with such enthusiasm, proving its universal appeal!

Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Creation

Creating truly exceptional Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital for a dish bursting with authentic flavor:

• The Aromatics: Onions and Garlic
  • Onions: Large yellow onions are preferred for their sweet and mellow flavor profile, which deepens and caramelizes beautifully when roasted. Cut them into thick ½-inch wedges to prevent them from burning and allow them to soften perfectly.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable. Its pungent aroma transforms into a sweet, nutty essence during roasting, providing a crucial aromatic base for the entire dish.
• The Peppers: A Symphony of Color and Taste
  • Bell Peppers: A vibrant mix of yellow, orange, and red bell peppers adds not only visual appeal but also varying levels of sweetness. Ensure seeds and ribs are removed, then cut them into uniform ½-inch strips for even cooking.
  • Poblano Peppers: These offer a mild, earthy heat that complements the sweetness of the bell peppers without overwhelming the palate. Like bell peppers, remove seeds and ribs, then slice into ¼-inch strips.
• The Protein: Italian Sausage Links
  • Mild Italian Sausage Links: A staple for this dish, mild Italian sausage provides a savory, seasoned foundation. If you prefer a kick, spicy Italian sausage links can be easily substituted to elevate the heat. Opt for high-quality sausages for the best texture and flavor.
• The Sweetness and Depth: Grape Tomatoes and Dry White Wine
  • Grape Tomatoes: These small, sweet tomatoes burst during roasting, releasing their juices and creating a lovely, slightly tangy sauce that coats the vegetables and sausage.
  • Dry White Wine: A crucial ingredient for adding complexity and deglazing the pan. I always keep a bottle of dry vermouth on hand specifically for cooking, as it offers a consistent flavor. Alternatively, use any dry white wine you enjoy drinking, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind only the rich flavors.
• The Fresh Finish: Fresh Basil and Grated Parmesan
  • Fresh Basil: Essential for a bright, aromatic garnish. To chiffonade basil, simply stack a few leaves, roll them tightly like a cigar, and then slice them thinly into delicate ribbons. This enhances both the flavor and visual appeal.
  • Grated Parmesan: Opt for authentic Parmigiano Reggiano over pre-grated varieties in a can. Its salty, umami-rich flavor adds an incredible depth and richness when sprinkled over the finished dish. This is an optional but highly recommended addition.
• The Serveware: Hot Dog Buns or Lobster Rolls
  • Hot Dog Buns or Lobster Rolls: For those who love this dish as a sandwich, soft hot dog buns or split-top lobster rolls are the perfect vessels. They soak up the delicious juices, making for a truly comforting and satisfying hand-held meal.
• Pantry Staples: Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Dried Oregano, Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • These fundamental ingredients tie all the flavors together, providing the necessary seasoning and richness for perfectly roasted vegetables and sausage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sausage and Peppers

Perfect Pairings to Complete Your Meal

This vibrant entree, rich with roasted vegetables and savory Italian sausage, is wonderfully satisfying on its own. However, a few complementary dishes can elevate your meal into a truly memorable dining experience. A crusty loaf of bread and a fresh green salad are classic choices, but here are some additional tasty suggestions for your menu:

• No-Knead Bread: Perfect for soaking up all the delicious pan juices.
• Best Caesar Salad: A crisp, garlicky salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich main course.
• Citrus Spinach Salad: A bright, zesty salad to lighten the meal.
• Spinach, Strawberry, Pomegranate, and Feta Salad: A delightful blend of sweet and savory notes.
• Chocolate Tiramisu: End your Italian-American inspired meal with a decadent dessert.
• Explore more of the Best Salad Recipes to find your perfect side.

The Recipe:

Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
50 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes

Yield
8 servings

An easy and flavorful Italian-American classic, roasted to perfection on two sheet pans for minimal cleanup and maximum taste!

Ingredients

• 2 large yellow onions, cut into ½-inch wedges
• 4 bell peppers (yellow, orange, red, or a combination), seeds and ribs removed, cut into ½-inch strips
• 2 poblano peppers, seeds and ribs removed, cut into ¼-inch strips
• 6 medium cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 pounds mild Italian sausage links (or spicy, if preferred)
• 2 cups grape tomatoes
• ⅓ cup dry white wine
• Fresh basil, chopped or julienned, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano), to serve
• Hot dog buns or lobster rolls, optional, for serving as sandwiches

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a large sheet pan, combine the prepared onions, bell peppers, poblano peppers, and minced garlic. Sprinkle generously with dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and toss everything together to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer.
3. On a separate sheet pan or a shallow roasting pan, arrange the Italian sausage links. Drizzle the sausages with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
4. Place both sheet pans into the preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes.
5. After 20 minutes, remove both pans from the oven. Carefully transfer the partially roasted sausages to the sheet pan with the vegetables. Add the grape tomatoes and pour in the dry white wine. Gently toss to combine all ingredients on the vegetable pan.
6. Return the combined pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 25-30 minutes. During this final stage, turn the sausages once or twice to ensure they brown evenly on all sides, and the vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized.
7. Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven. Garnish generously with freshly chopped or julienned basil. Serve immediately, either sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese or tucked into warm hot dog buns for a delicious sandwich experience.

Notes

Recipe adapted from a beloved Ina Garten classic, celebrating simple ingredients and exceptional flavor.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 626Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 34gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1542mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 30g

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