Italian > Sausage-Based

Bernardo's Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound Italian sausage links
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Special equipment needed:
- Large skillet or Dutch oven

Step-by-step instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Add Italian sausage links and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
4. Add sliced bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
6. Add diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
7. Return the sausage links to the skillet and nestle them into the tomato mixture.
8. Cover the skillet and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through and the peppers are tender.
9. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the sausage and peppers.
10. Serve hot.


Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Temperature:
Medium-high heat for browning sausage and sautéing vegetables, then simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
Serving size:
4 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 418
Fat: 32g
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1088mg

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Italian sausage links can be substituted with ground Italian sausage or turkey sausage.
- Bell peppers can be substituted with any color of sweet pepper.
- Diced tomatoes can be substituted with crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Variations:
- Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet for an extra vegetable.
- Use spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat.
- Serve over pasta or rice for a heartier meal.

Tips and tricks:
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausage is cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- If the tomato mixture is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Storage instructions:
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
Serve in a large serving dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top.

Garnishes:
Fresh parsley or basil

Pairings:
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Caesar salad

Suggested side dishes:
- Roasted potatoes
- Grilled asparagus
- Steamed broccoli

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the sausage is not browning evenly, turn it frequently to ensure all sides get browned.
- If the tomato mixture is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken it up.

Food safety advice:
- Always cook sausage to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.

Food history:
Italian sausage and peppers is a classic Italian-American dish that originated in the early 1900s in the United States. It was a popular dish among Italian immigrants and quickly became a staple in Italian-American cuisine.

Flavor profiles:
Savory, slightly spicy, and tangy from the tomatoes.

Serving suggestions:
Serve hot with a side of garlic bread and a Caesar salad.

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Region: Italian

Taste: Savory, Spicy, Tangy, Herby, Robust