Italian Sausage with Peppers, Onions, and Beer Skillet
A hearty one-pan Italian comfort dish featuring browned sausages simmered with colorful bell peppers and onions in a rich beer and tomato sauce. The beer adds depth while deglazing creates complex flavors from the fond. Fresh herbs and hot sauce provide brightness and heat to balance the savory elements. Perfect for casual weeknight dinners or game day gatherings when you want something filling and flavorful that feeds a crowd with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 lbs Italian sausagesbratwurst1:1gluten-free
milder flavor
- 3 red bell peppers, slicedyellow bell peppers1:1color-preference
same sweetness
- 2 green bell peppers, sliced
- 2 large red onions, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 12 fluid ounce bottles beer
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons oregano
- 3 tablespoons cilantro
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in large heavy skillet over medium high heat
- 2
Cook sausage until browned on all sides
- 3
Remove sausage from pan and set aside
- 4
Pour in 1 bottle of beer to deglaze the pan, scraping up any blackened bits from bottom
- 5
Place red peppers, green peppers, onions and garlic in the pan
- 6
Stir in remaining beer and tomato paste
- 7
Season with oregano, cilantro, hot sauce, salt and pepper
- 8
Cover and simmer until onions and peppers are tender
- 9
Slice sausages into bite size pieces and add to peppers
- 10
Cover and simmer until sausage is cooked through
Tips
Use a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages for varied flavor and heat levels
Save time by slicing peppers and onions ahead - they store well covered in the refrigerator
Let the vegetables cook until very tender for the best texture and flavor development
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in covered container
Can prep vegetables up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate covered
Serve hot over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up sauce
Common Mistakes
Don't skip deglazing to avoid losing flavorful fond
Avoid overcrowding pan to ensure proper browning of sausages
Let vegetables cook until tender to avoid crunchy texture
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
milder flavor
General Alternatives
same sweetness
FAQ
Can I use a slow cooker instead?
Yes, brown sausages first, then add all ingredients to crockpot and cook on low 4-6 hours until vegetables are tender.
What type of beer works best?
Use a light to medium beer like lager or wheat beer. Avoid very hoppy or dark beers that might overpower the dish.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding splash of broth if needed.