Skillet Sausage and Peppers with Cheesy Polenta

Savory Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers cooked together in a rich tomato sauce, served over creamy, cheesy polenta.

• Prep: 10 min
• Cook: 20 min
• Total: 30 min
• Servings: 6
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.52/serving

Dietary

• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• High-Protein

Tags

• comfort food
• one-pot
• quick
• savory

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion (chopped)
• 2 bell peppers (thinly sliced)
• 2 clove garlic (minced)
• 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cup instant polenta
• 3 cup water
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

1. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped yellow onion and thinly sliced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), chicken broth, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
4. While the sausage mixture simmers, prepare the polenta: In a separate medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 1 cup of 2% milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in the instant polenta, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes until thick. Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Serve the skillet sausage and peppers mixture hot over generous portions of cheesy polenta. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

You can use pre-cooked Italian sausage for an even quicker prep time. Feel free to use any color of bell peppers you have on hand.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 485
• Protein: 28.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42.1 g
• Fat: 23.5 g
• Fiber: 5.1 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Saturated Fat: 9.8 g
• Sugar: 6.8 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg