Smothered Italian Sausage with Roasted Red Peppers and Greens Recipe

Introduction

Smothered Italian Sausage is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender sausage links are cooked with vibrant peppers, onions, and greens in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting meal brings classic Italian flavors straight to your table.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more (optional) for serving
• 8 sweet Italian sausage links (2½ lb./1.1 kg)
• 3 red bell peppers, sliced
• 2 medium red onions, sliced
• 5 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 bunch broccolini (2 cups/200 g), ends trimmed and cut into 1″ pieces
• 2 bunches spinach (4 oz./115 g total)
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 28-oz./794-g can crushed tomatoes
• 1 bunch fresh basil (1½ oz./45 g), leaves picked
• 1 12-oz./355-ml jar mild banana peppers, undrained
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a Dutch oven, heat ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil over high heat until it shimmers. Add the sweet Italian sausage links, cover, and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Flip the sausages and cook the other side until browned.
2. Step 2: Stir in the sliced red bell peppers, sliced red onions, and sliced garlic cloves. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5–6 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the broccolini pieces and spinach. Stir well, cover, and cook for 3–4 minutes until the greens are wilted. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes and the can of crushed tomatoes.
4. Step 4: Add the fresh basil leaves and the undrained jar of mild banana peppers. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
5. Step 5: Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired. Serve the sausages smothered in the vegetable and tomato sauce immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet.
• Substitute broccolini with broccoli florets or green beans if preferred.
• Serve over creamy polenta or pasta for a more filling meal.
• Fresh basil can be replaced with dried basil; add during the simmering step.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish does not freeze well due to the fresh vegetables.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute sweet Italian sausage with spicy Italian sausage, bratwurst, or even chicken sausage depending on your taste preference.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

You can omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or eggplant to keep the dish hearty and flavorful.

Smothered Italian Sausage with Roasted Red Peppers and Greens Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 120 reviews

• Author: Julian
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Smothered Italian Sausage recipe features sweet Italian sausages cooked to a perfect brown and simmered with vibrant red bell peppers, onions, garlic, broccolini, spinach, crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, and mild banana peppers. The dish is richly flavored, hearty, and perfect for a comforting meal that’s packed with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sausage and Oil

• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more (optional) for serving
• 8 sweet Italian sausage links (2½ lb./1.1 kg)

Vegetables

• 3 red bell peppers, sliced
• 2 medium red onions, sliced
• 5 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 bunch broccolini (2 cups/200 g), ends trimmed and cut into 1″ pieces
• 2 bunches spinach (4 oz./115 g total)
• 1 12-oz./355-ml jar mild banana peppers, undrained

Other Ingredients

• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 28-oz./794-g can crushed tomatoes
• 1 bunch fresh basil (1½ oz./45 g), leaves picked
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Brown the Sausages: Heat ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add the 8 sweet Italian sausage links (2½ lb./1.1 kg), cover the pot, and cook for 5–6 minutes until browned on one side. Flip the sausages and cook the other side until browned.
2. Sauté the Peppers, Onions, and Garlic: Add the sliced red bell peppers, red onions, and garlic cloves to the pot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
3. Add the Greens and Tomatoes: Stir in the broccolini pieces and spinach. Cover and cook for another 3–4 minutes until the greens begin to wilt. Add crushed red pepper flakes to taste, then pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Stir in the fresh basil leaves and the jar of undrained mild banana peppers. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
4. Season and Serve: Taste and season the dish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. For an extra touch of richness, drizzle a little more olive oil on top before serving immediately.

Notes

• Use Italian sausage with natural casings for best browning.
• For more heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add hot banana peppers instead of mild.
• Broccolini can be substituted with broccoli or broccolini stems if preferred.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or over polenta or pasta.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Italian sausage, smothered sausage, Italian recipe, sausage with vegetables, easy Italian dinner, stovetop recipe