Peppers and Italian sausage are a hearty meal that the whole family will love. It’s also a great way to mix things up at the table.
You can use a large skillet, a slow cooker, a Dutch oven, or the grill to cook the sausage and peppers. They taste great all of these ways.
However, if you’re looking for the ideal side dish, this long list of tasty sides will take away your stress of what to serve with sausage and peppers.
Sausage and peppers is a classic Italian-American dish that’s packed with bold, savory flavor. Tender pieces of sausage are sautéed with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs, coming together in a satisfying medley of tastes and textures. While sausage and peppers is undeniably delicious on its own, the right side dishes and drinks can take this meal from great to extraordinary.
In this article, we’ll explore over 25 mouthwatering recipes for sides and beverages that complement sausage and peppers flawlessly. From crispy vegetables to creamy pasta, tangy salads to indulgent desserts, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for crafting a phenomenal Italian feast.
Complementary Vegetables
Sausage and peppers are the stars of the show, but serving up some sautéed veggies on the side can provide a tasty nutritional boost.
Broccoli with Red Pepper Flakes
Broccoli florets quickly sautéed with olive oil garlic, and red pepper flakes make a zesty accompaniment. The bright green color is a nice contrast to the red and orange hues of the sausage and peppers.
Garlic Sautéed Spinach
A quick sauté of spinach with olive oil and garlic offers a healthy, nutrient-dense side. The bold, earthy flavor of spinach stands up well to the strong flavors in the main dish.
Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley
Roasting cauliflower until caramelized and tender amplifies its natural sweetness. Tossing the finished florets with Italian parsley adds freshness.
Satisfying Starches
Carbohydrate-rich sides like pasta, rice, and potatoes soak up the delicious juices from the sausage and peppers.
Cheesy Polenta
Creamy, melty polenta is the perfect base for spooning sausage and peppers over. Top with shredded mozzarella or Parmesan for extra richness.
Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
Any short pasta shape, like penne or rigatoni, shines when tossed in a simple tomato sauce spiked with cream and fresh basil.
Parmesan Garlic Bread
Warm, crusty garlic bread layered with melted cheese is an Italian restaurant staple for good reason. It’s the ultimate for dipping in any leftover sauce.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and olive oil offer a satisfying crunch and plenty of starchy goodness to fill you up.
Tasty Salads
Fresh, vegetable-forward salads provide brightness and acidity to balance the heartiness of sausage and peppers.
Italian Chopped Salad
Chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, olives, peppers, onions, salami, mozzarella, and garbanzo beans tossed in a red wine vinaigrette is peak Italian salad.
Caprese Salad
Tomato, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze makes for a simple yet scrumptious choice.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Herbaceous parsley and mint complement quinoa, cucumber, olives, and feta in this protein-packed salad.
Kale Caesar Salad
Massaged kale gives this lighter take on a Caesar salad a more delicate texture than romaine lettuce.
Hearty Breads
Warm, crusty bread is essential for mopping up any remaining sauce or juices left on your plate after devouring the sausage and peppers.
Homemade Focaccia
With a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of sea salt, freshly baked focaccia is Italian bread perfection.
Rosemary Filoncini
These fluffy, elongated rolls swirled with rosemary and garlic are ideal for sausage sandwich-making.
Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
Buttery, garlicky breadsticks topped with parmesan make an addictively delicious accompaniment for any Italian meal.
Satisfying Soups
A first course soup is a lovely way to kick off an Italian feast featuring sausage and peppers.
Italian Wedding Soup
Mini meatballs and greens in an herb-infused chicken broth is a crowd-pleasing start to any meal.
Pasta e Fagioli
The classic Italian bean and pasta soup offers lean protein from the beans and hearty carbohydrates from the pasta.
Tomato Basil Soup
Tomatoes, cream, and fresh basil pureed into a velvety soup make a comforting, flavorful starter.
Perfect Pairing Beverages
To drink, Italian wines, beers, and soft drinks complement sausage and peppers flawlessly.
Chianti Classico
The medium body and food-friendly acidity of this iconic Tuscan red wine matches beautifully with sausage and peppers.
Peroni Beer
The crisp, light taste of Italy’s most popular pale lager beer cuts through the dish’s richness.
San Pellegrino Aranciata
A can of sweet-tart Italian orange soda adds refreshing bubbles and citrus flavor.
Marsala Wine
The slightly smoky, nutty sweetness of Marsala is fantastic for deglazing the pan juices into a sauce.
Satisfying Desserts
End your meal on a sweet note with traditional Italian desserts like those below.
Tiramisu
Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese make for the quintessential Italian dessert.
Cannoli
Fried pastry shells filled with sweetened ricotta cheese and chocolate chips are fun finger food.
Amaretti Cookies
Crunchy, airy macaroons made from egg whites, sugar, and almond flour are the perfect after-dinner treat with an espresso.
Panna Cotta
Sweetened cream and gelatin cooked into a creamy, custard-like pudding is simple yet elegant.
So there you have it—over 25 complementary sides and drinks to take your sausage and peppers to new culinary heights. With the right combinations of colors, textures, flavors and ingredients, you’re sure to have an unforgettable Italian feast. Buon appetito!
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Sides For The Dinner Table
These side dishes for the dinner table will become a family favorite. Some of the recipes are not only easy but go straight from the cutting board to the dish.
Once you get back from the store with your favorite foods, you can start making the perfect side dishes to go with the main dishes.
From cornbread to fritters, the recipes will give everyone something to look forward to at mealtime.
Recipe: Italian Sausage, Pepper & Onion Skillet
FAQ
Do they eat sausage and peppers in Italy?
How long is leftover sausage and peppers good for?
What to serve with sausage and peppers?
When it comes to what to serve with sausage and peppers we are always looking to try something new. Today we have gathered a list of sausage and pepper sides that includes traditional items such as buns and rolls, noodles and zoodles, salads, potatoes, and even soups because what goes with sausage and peppers is truly anything that you like.
What are the healthier substitutes of pepper?
Healthier substitutes of pepper are: 1. White pepper: It comes from the same fruit as the black pepper. The seed in the fruit gives us white pepper if you crack open the black pepper. 2. Green pepper: The harvesting of the fruit happens much earlier. It has mild taste and carry less heat than the black ones. 3. Pink pepper: These can also be grounded and can be used as a substitute for black pepper. It has sweeter taste and brings a rosy tone to the food. Because of its mild nature, you may have to compensate by adding a little more. 4. Papaya seeds: The seeds of the sweet fruit mimics black pepper once dried and grounded. Additionally, papaya seeds contain antioxidants and are highly nutritious.
What do you eat with Italian sausage and red bell peppers?
When it comes to flavors and textures, sometimes we find that opposites attract. Sweet Italian sausage and red bell peppers will nestle cozily with peppery arugula and super crazy creamy burrata on the plate. We especially like our salads to have a touch of balsamic vinegar for a touch of sweetness.
What to eat with sausage?
You can also explore contrasting textures with complementary flavors, such as a crisp, light salad featuring fresh fennel to bring a new dimension to the sausage flavors. Or lean into the classics with Italian dishes like risotto (with a twist!) and stunning textures like burrata.