Foil Packet Italian Sausage and Peppers with Sweet Potatoes
A complete one-packet meal featuring sliced Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, tender sweet potatoes, and zucchini seasoned with Italian herbs and smoked paprika. Perfect for grilling or oven cooking, these foil packets make cleanup effortless while delivering bold Mediterranean flavors. Each packet steams the vegetables to perfection while keeping the sausage juicy. Great for camping, weeknight dinners, or when you want a satisfying meal without the mess.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Pine nuts (sub walnuts or pecans)
- 1 clove Garlic, peeled
- 1 ½ oz Basil, fresh
- 2 tsp Lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Oil, olive
- 2 Bell peppers, any color, sliced
- 1 lb Sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 Onions, medium, sliced
- 12 oz Zucchini, cubed
- 4 links Sausage, any type pre-cooked or smoked, sliced (chicken sausage works well)
- 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp Oil, olive
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Paprika, smoked
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- for cooking Foil
Instructions
- 1
Move grill grates close to heat source or remove for direct coal cooking, heat grill to 500F, or heat oven to 425F
- 2
Toss bell peppers, sweet potatoes, onions, zucchini, sausage, and garlic with olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper
- 3
Divide filling between foil squares and fold tightly to enclose, double wrap with lightweight foil if needed
- 4
Cook packets over direct heat with lid closed, turning halfway, until potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes for grill
- 5
Place packets on sheet pan and cook in oven, turning halfway, until potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes
- 6
Serve packets directly on plates or transfer filling to bowls, drizzle with pesto
Tips
Double wrap with heavy foil if using lightweight foil to prevent tearing during cooking.
Test doneness by carefully opening one packet to check if sweet potatoes are tender.
Nestle packets directly in charcoal coals for maximum heat transfer when grilling.
Good to Know
Refrigerate assembled uncooked packets up to 1 day before cooking.
Can prep vegetables and seasonings up to 1 day ahead, assemble packets morning of cooking.
Serve immediately while hot, either in foil packets or transferred to bowls.
Common Mistakes
Use heavy-duty foil or double wrap to avoid packets tearing open during cooking.
Don't overfill packets or they won't seal properly and may leak.
Substitutions
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make these packets ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the packets up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook. Add a few extra minutes to cooking time if cooking from cold.
What if I don't have a grill?
The oven method works perfectly - just place packets on a sheet pan and cook at 425F for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store leftover cooked vegetables and sausage in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in microwave or skillet until warmed through.