Description
A quick and comforting skillet meal featuring Italian sausage and bell peppers served over creamy, buttery polenta. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines bold flavors with simple ingredients for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- 2 medium bell peppers (mixed colors, sliced into thin strips)
- 1 medium yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 cup quick-cooking polenta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of chicken broth or water to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of quick-cooking polenta. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until thick and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and keep warm.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of Italian sausage, breaking it up if using bulk sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside, leaving oil and drippings in the pan.
- In the same skillet, add sliced onion and bell peppers. Sauté for about 5 minutes until peppers are tender but still vibrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Return cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
- Spoon creamy polenta onto plates and top with the sausage and peppers mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
If polenta thickens too much while standing, stir in a splash of warm broth or water to loosen it before serving. Browning the sausage properly adds depth of flavor. Avoid overcooking peppers to keep a slight crisp texture. Constant stirring of polenta prevents lumps and burning. For dairy-free, substitute butter and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives. This dish can be finished in a 400°F oven for 5-7 minutes for a crispy top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: sausage and peppers, quick skillet meal, creamy polenta, Italian sausage recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food