Sausage and peppers is a classic Italian-American dish that is full of flavor. The combination of savory sausage sweet bell peppers, onions garlic, and tomatoes is utterly delicious. However, a great meal needs more than just the main dish. The side dishes served alongside sausage and peppers are just as important. They add freshness, texture, color, and complementary flavors that make the entire meal complete.
In this article we will explore 15 delicious side dishes that pair wonderfully with sausage and peppers. With options ranging from classic Italian sides to creative salads and vegetables you’ll find plenty of ideas for your next sausage and peppers dinner.
Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
A fresh green salad is a light and healthy side that balances the richness of sausage and peppers. Look for salad greens like romaine, spinach, arugula, and kale. Top with sliced cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, and red onion. Then dress the salad with a simple balsamic vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. The bright acidic flavors of the salad complement the savory sausage and peppers.
Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread is a must-have side for soaking up the delicious sauce left behind after eating sausage and peppers. Bake or toast slices of Italian bread and brush with garlic butter or olive oil infused with plenty of minced garlic. Add a sprinkle of parsley or basil for some freshness. The garlic flavor pairs perfectly with the bold seasonings of the sausage.
Baked Zucchini Fries
For a lighter alternative to starchy sides baked zucchini fries add nutrition along with crunch. Slice zucchini into long sticks toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then bake until browned and slightly crispy. Serve with marinara for dipping to balance the richness of the sausage.
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, has a pleasant bitter flavor that offsets greasy meats like sausage. Saute chopped broccoli rabe with olive oil and garlic until bright green and just tender. The bitterness and crunch make it an excellent accompaniment.
Polenta
Creamy, smooth polenta made from cornmeal is a classic Italian side dish that pairs wonderfully with sausage and peppers. Prepare polenta according to package directions, then stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. Or, for ultimate richness, top polenta with melted mozzarella. This soft and comforting side soaks up the bold flavors.
Caprese Salad
A caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil is an easy but impressive side for sausage and peppers. Alternate slices of ripe tomato with mozzarella, adding whole basil leaves in between. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction. The cool, fresh salad balances the hot sausage and peppers.
Sauteed Bell Peppers
Add even more sweet bell peppers to your meal by sauteeing a mix of sliced red, yellow and orange peppers until tender. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning for maximum flavor. The variety of colors looks beautiful next to the sausage and peppers entree.
Cheesy Breadsticks
Buttery breadsticks coated in garlic, Parmesan, and herbs are an appetizing accompaniment for sausage and peppers. Bake refrigerated breadstick dough sprinkled with seasonings until golden brown. Serve hot breadsticks for dipping into any leftover sauce.
Pasta Salad
A cold pasta salad with Italian dressing makes a nice contrast to hot sausage and peppers. Toss bite-size pasta with chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and Italian dressing. Chill before serving. The crisp textures and tangy flavors complement the heartiness of the main dish.
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are a satisfying starchy side for sausage and peppers. Chop potatoes into bite-size pieces, coat with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary, and roast in a hot oven until browned and tender. Roasted potatoes can soak up all the delicious flavors.
Sauteed Spinach
Sauteed spinach with garlic adds color to your plate while balancing the richness of sausage and peppers. Quickly cook chopped spinach in olive oil and garlic until just wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. The fresh, earthy flavors pair nicely.
Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad with crunchy romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and homemade croutons is a cool, crisp side for sausage and peppers. Toss the salad with a creamy garlic dressing. You can even top your salad with slices of grilled sausage for extra heartiness.
Scalloped Potatoes
For an indulgent, creamy potato side dish, make scalloped potatoes au gratin flavored with cream, cheese, and seasonings. Layer thinly sliced potatoes with cheese sauce and bake until the potatoes are fork-tender. The comforting flavors make a satisfying accompaniment.
Sauteed Mushrooms
Earthy, meaty mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter or olive oil add nice texture and flavor contrast to sausage and peppers. Shiitake, cremini, and baby bella mushrooms work well. Cook over high heat until browned. Mushrooms add richness without the carbs of starchier sides.
Mixed Vegetables
For ease, pick up a bag of frozen mixed vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, and yellow squash to quickly steam or roast. The medley of vegetables looks colorful next to sausage and peppers while adding nutrition. Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
With so many excellent options, there’s no shortage of delicious sides to serve with hearty sausage and peppers. From salads and vegetables to classic Italian carbs, you can create a well-rounded meal that perfectly complements this flavorful entree. Try out a variety of pairings to keep your dinners exciting and balanced. Just be sure to have crusty bread or garlic bread on hand to soak up all that delicious sauce!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5025593-sausage-and-pepper-penne-Bren-4x3-1-d6b52cc7f49e4a24be682fa94ba72c41.jpg)
k
This post is about what to serve with Italian sausage and peppers
Looking for tasty low-carb side dishes to go with Italian sausage and peppers? I’ve got you covered with sweet and spicy sausage dishes that will help you stick to your healthy lifestyle goals! Sausage can be a great part of a high-volume, low-calorie diet plan.
Italian sausage is a great meal the whole family will enjoy. A sheet pan dinner with green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and onions is my favorite way to make Italian sausage. Drizzle with olive oil and roast at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes. Truly the perfect easy weeknight dinner!.
Another great way to make sausage and green peppers is to place your sausage and peppers {1 lb. } in a slow cooker. Cover the sausage and peppers with marinara sauce. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the sausage is fully cooked. This is one of the simplest recipes you can make. You can even use frozen Italian sausage links; just cook them for an extra hour or so.
Usually, pork is used to make Italian sausage, but these days you can easily find turkey sausage and chicken sausage, which is usually a bit leaner. You can normally find both sweet Italian sausage, spicy Italian sausage and many other flavor options.
Take a look next time you’re at the grocery store! I love trying new flavors and recipes.
Easy Side Dish Ideas {Low-Carb}
Caesar Salad – this is a perfect low-carb side dish with any kind of sausage. You could easily make your own with some Romaine lettuce, a few croutons, Parmesan cheese, and bottled dressing. You could also buy a bagged salad kit like I do. My kids love Caesar salad, so we always have that on hand.
I recommend mixing the dressing and topping separately in your own dish so you can control the calories. Load up on the lettuce and go sparingly with the rest!.
Kale Salad – Due to kale’s strong flavor this is a perfect side dish for mild sausage. This is my favorite Kale Salad Recipe. You can often find bagged kale salad kits at the grocery store, as well. There’s no shame in cooking healthy food quickly; just watch out for the toppings and dressing.
It’s easy to make cauliflower rice with just olive oil, salt, and pepper. For a fun twist, add an easy dish like
Quick Caulirice Sausage and Peppers Skillet:
Cook 1 sausage with peppers in your skillet over medium heat. I like to cut the sausage into bite size pieces, so it cooks faster.
After about 8-10 minutes add 2 cups of cauliflower rice (frozen or fresh) to the skillet.
Cook another 3-4 minutes until sausage is cooked through and cauliflower rice is lightly browned. The sausage and peppers add such delicious flavor for a one pan meal.
Cloud Bread Rolls – let’s be honest, there’s nothing like a sausage on hoagie roll. Making low-carb cloud bread rolls is a close second, though. Just use my recipe for cloud bread pizza and cut it into four 8-inch pieces. Use your favorite sausage and pepper recipe, wrap it in a cloud bread roll, and sprinkle mustard on top. So yummy!.
Turnip Fries – you can whip up a batch of Turnip Fries in your air fryer or oven. The big flavors of your sausage and turnip fries combine for a great meal. This would work really great with the cloud bread rolls, too.
1 large head of broccoli, 2 tablespoons of corn starch, 3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk), 1 egg, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese or cheese mix of your choice. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Wash and dry the broccoli, then cut it into bite-sized florets. Put them in a large bowl that can go in the microwave, and cook them on high for 5 to 7 minutes, until they are soft enough to pierce with a fork. Mix corn starch, salt, pepper, milk, and 3/4 cup of grated cheese in a large mixing bowl 3. Drain cooked broccoli and combine with milk/cheese mixture in bowl 4. Pour broccoli and cheese mixture into medium casserole dish, then top with remaining cheese 5. Bake 25-30 minutes, uncovered until sauce is bubbling and top of casserole is browned lightly.
There you have it: roasted cauliflower. This is a great recipe for a snack as well. I love roasted cauliflower, and I bet you will too. This is a simple dish and can even be made with sheet pan sausage and peppers. Simply toss one head of cauliflower with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite seasoning. Roast at 425 degrees for about 25 minutes until outside is browned and crispy.
Mashed Rutabaga – mashed rutabaga is a family favorite here. My grandmother used to make it for all the big holidays, and I hadn’t thought about this tasty root vegetable in a while. With your sausage and peppers, this is a hearty and comforting meal. However, the rutabaga is much lower in carbs than the mashed potatoes!
Simply chop your rutabaga into bite size pieces, then boil or steam for about 10 minutes. Mash with a potato masher. Season with salt and black pepper. For more tips on cooking rutabaga click here.
roasted frozen green beans—yes, you read that right! You can make these green beans from frozen! This recipe is tasty and can go with almost any main dish.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle green beans with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning and olive oil. If you have chopped shallots or red onion, you can add them too. Roast for 20-30 minutes until beans are browned and crispy. Toss 2-3 times while roasting.
Spaghetti Squash – ah, spaghetti squash, low carb and the perfect accompaniment for so many different flavors. You can microwave it, bake it, roast it or my favorite is to make it in my Instant-Pot. Top with your sausage and spaghetti sauce for a filling and delicious meal.
Grilled or Roasted Zucchini – this might be one of my all time favorites side dishes. Grilling your zucchini gives it a bold flavor. I like to use a grill basket so I don’t lose any in the cracks. Simply toss with some Italian seasoning and olive oil, then grill for about 10-15 minutes.
Zoodles – zoodles are a great way to get your veggies in. Simply saute your zoodles in some olive oil in a large skillet. Then top with your favorite sauce with sausage and peppers. Its even quicker and easier than regular pasta. Many grocery stores sell pre-made zoodles in the section for chopped vegetables. Again, don’t feel bad about treating yourself to foods that make it easier to eat healthy.
Skillet Eggplant – eggplant goes so well with sausage and peppers. Its truly like these flavors were made for each other. You can roast them in the oven with the sausage and peppers, or you can cook them on their own in a skillet. When cooking eggplant on the stove, it takes about 20 minutes. If you roast the eggplant with the sausage and peppers in the oven, you may need less oil.
Grilled Mushrooms – mushrooms are in regular rotation in our house and grilled mushrooms are to. die. for. Lightly coat with olive oil and seasoning, then grill over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remember that mushrooms do shrink quite a bit while cooking, so cook more than you think you’ll need.
Cauliflower Mash: This side dish is great for the whole family and doesn’t have any carbs. You’ll never miss the carbs! Here is my favorite cauliflower recipe.
Thanks for reading these recipes. I hope they helped you figure out what to serve with Italian sausage and peppers. Making more than one low-carb side dish helps you not miss the carbs as much, plus they taste great on their own.
Valerie Bertinelli’s Sausages with Peppers and Onions | Valerie’s Home Cooking | Food Network
FAQ
What to eat with sausage and peppers?
What to pair with Italian sausage?
What are sausages eaten with?