Menu:
Turkey Sausage, Onion, and Peppers * Rolls OR White Rice * Canned Pears
Time to dinner: 35 minutes
Is there anything that smells as good as sausage, onions, and peppers cooking? It conjures up thoughts of carnivals, ball games, and street fairs. In my “clubbing” days, a sausage vendor would always be outside the clubs at 2 AM, waiting to feed the (drunk and) hungry masses. When I started cooking, one thing I really wanted to learn was to make a killer version of Sausage, Onions, and Peppers.
In my youth, I was always lured in to eating sausage, onions, and peppers (SO&P) by the aroma. But, the taste didn’t always live up to what I had smelled. I prefer when the onions have been caramelized, and the peppers and nice and soft, and the sausage is in cut into easy-to-eat pieces. I was fortunate to have a friend who made SO&P just the way I like them, and he shared his tips with me. I now use turkey sausage to reduce the fat in this dish, but otherwise, I follow his technique.
Granted, this isn’t a very fancy meal, but it’s one that my family enjoys. I sometimes serve it as sandwiches, or I’ll cook up some white rice and spoon the SO&P over it. I find some fruit on the side – pears make a nice contribution – are all we need for a meal.
Here is what you’ll need for ingredients for the turkey sausage & onion sandwiches:
The following are directions to make this meal in its entirety; the recipe for Turkey Sausage, Onions, and Peppers is at the end.
| # | Step: | Time Elapsed |
| 1 | Slice your peppers and chop your onions. | 7 min |
| 2 | Follow the recipe for Italian Sausage, Onions, and Peppers below, and start them cooking. | 10 min |
| 3 | If you are going to make rice as your side, prepare per package directions. | 15 min |
| 4 | If you are going to serve as sandwiches, slice the sub rolls. | 20 min |
| 5 | Open a can of pears. | 25 min |
| 6 | Serve! | 35 min* |
*Cooking time will vary based on your preference for how much you like your vegetables cooked.
My offspring are split on eating peppers and onions. My son doesn’t love them, but eats them. My older daughter loves them, and the youngest daughter – depends on the day – but usually will just pick out the sausage. I just keep serving this one up, knowing that someday they all are going to love it as much as we do – who wouldn’t?
Sausage Onions & Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 green peppers sliced into strips
- 1 large onion in rings
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb turkey sausage sweet Italian (you can use hot if you like more spice)
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in large frying pan.
- Add green pepper strips and sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- Add onion rings and stir.
- Add garlic cloves and stir.
- Add sausage (I usually squeeze chucks out of the casing), cook and stir.
- Add basil, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.
- Cook until peppers and sausage are desired doneness.
- Serve over rice or in sub roll.
