Sausage and Peppers is a comfort food dish that I return to again and again – it’s hearty and satisfying for those days when you crave warmth and robust flavors. And, it’s quick and easy to make, requiring only a pepper, onion, and tomatoes – canned or fresh will do, and the purchase of quality Italian sausage from the store, or preferably, a favorite meat counter or sausage maker. We love sausage in our house and for a meatless dish have even made Sausage and Peppers Vegan Style, using a vegan sausage that passed the meat-lovers taste test.
If you’re like many mom cooks, sometimes you get bored making the same thing the same way every time but you know changing things sets you up for a deluge of objections, questions, and comments from the loving critics around the table that love it just the way you’ve made it for upteen years. But there comes a time when you just have to throw caution to the wind, say to heck with it and prepare your defense…. but, in this case, nary an objection was uttered.
One of the benefits of reading lots of food blogs is the inspiration and ideas I gain from just seeing different approaches to even the most well-loved classics; an answer to my culinary boredom, if you will. Inspired by the Sausage, Peppers, and Onions recipe that Bunkycooks shared in her article about two sausage makers in Warwick, GA, all I did differently to my normal Sausage and Peppers was cut my vegetables in chunks rather than strips and serve it with saffron rice rather than atop an Italian roll or pasta. Violá – boredom be gone 🙂
Sausage with Peppers and Onions
Serves 4 | Inspired by Bunkycooks
For the rice:
1 cup Basmati rice
2 cups low-sodium organic vegetable broth
1 pinch saffron, crumbled
1 pound fresh, Italian sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch slices*
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (plus more if needed)
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 red pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
8 oz. yellow teardrop tomatoes, sliced in half
To make saffron rice:
Rinse the rice well and drain. In a medium sized saucepan, add the rice, vegetable broth and sprinkle in the saffron, stir to incorporate the saffron. Bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes until stock is absorbed and rice is tender. Fluff with a fork. Set aside.
To make the sausage mixture:
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil is barely smoking, add the sausage slices and brown on both sides. This should take between two to three minutes per side. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
Retain the sausage fat for sautéeing the peppers and onions. Add olive oil if there’s not enough fat. Reduce heat to medium, then, add the onions and peppers. Cook the vegetables until they are tender, stirring occasionally, about eight minutes. Add the tomatoes, cover and simmer a few more minutes allowing the flavors to meld and the tomatoes to soften.
Serve immediately over the saffron rice. Enjoy 🙂
*I use Chicken Romano Sausage from Trader Joe’s for a heart healthy version of traditional sausage and peppers.
Variations: Serve Italian style with a side of pasta and marinara sauce.
I’ve only had sausage and peppers in a sandwich, but I love the idea of serving it over saffron rice to make it more refined and I’m sure a bit healthier 🙂
I love your comment, et voila boredom be gone;-) Whoops, I added the et! I agree sausage and peppers are a big time comfort food for us. But, there is nothing wrong with trying a different twist and all our favorite food blogs provide constant inspiration. I also read cookbooks but less food magazines these days;-)
Take care and keep these good recipes coming!
I enjoy the combination of flavours in this dish…a homey and comfort one!
Very nice! Love the colors in this dish, and actually this would be a beautifully flavored vegetarian dish with or without the vegan sausage 🙂 Nothing boring going on with this 🙂
Thanks, I was indeed inspired by your sausage and peppers recipe. With 8 inches of snow outside it especially looks delicious. Nice and warm and comforting. Thanks.
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Mmm, definitely one of my favorite comfort foods too! Love the pretty peppers and tomatoes you used, and the saffron rice was a really lovely touch!
Absolutely love sausage and peppers, haven’t made it in a long time! Sounds just perfect with saffron rice!
Your post brings back childhood memories of the way we gave my mother a hard time when she would try a new recipe. I guess we didn’t like change and had a fear of the unknown, but in the end it was always good.
What great photos you have and what beautiful colors you have going on in this! Looks so great this dish, I haven’t had sausage in a whiiile.
Sausage with peppers and onions is a favorite of mine too! I’m apt to put it on a bun and call it dinner 🙂 Great colors in your images, they really pop!
Yes! i gained my appetite and inspiration from checking inspiring blogs. I love the color of this dish and the ingredients sound terrific!
My husband would love this because he’s trying to eat healthy as possible. Have a good weekend, Priscilla!
I can just smell the saffron and sausage from reading this. This looks amazing!
This is one of our favorite meals. It is such a complete experience.. the aromas, the colors, the wonderful flavors! Mouthwatering just to look at! She’ s cookin’ for sure!
What a great version of sausage and peppers…I would not do the sausage part of course, but I love everything here 🙂 Beautiful dish!
Hi Priscilla,
Thanks so much for the mention and I am so glad you enjoyed my recipe! We still go back to this recipe since it’s so good and so easy! We have lots of sausage in our freezer, so we will have this several more times in the coming weeks!
Sorry I have been so busy and haven’t been by sooner!! I hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Gwen
This saffron rice elevates a morning meal to something extraordinary. Wow! I don’t know about you, but I’m so glad it is finally Friday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend of relaxation, love and laughter. Thank you for sharing, my friend!
mmmmm delicious comfort food! I can only imagine the wonderful smell and amazing taste… such a yummy meal!