Sausage and peppers are a great way of transforming flavorful meats, so you won’t be left with a sad, plain sausage on a plate. Usually, it uses Italian sausages, whose flavors range from sweet to spicy. But many recipes also use other types, like turkey.
But whichever meat is in the dish, there is one thing to agree on – sausage and peppers are full of bold, savory flavors. Thus, it is perfect with simple and delicious side dishes, as they complement and highlight the main’s taste profile rather than overpowering it. If you don’t know what to serve with sausage and peppers, you can check out these 13 simply delish sides.
1. Soft and Creamy Scrambled Eggs
Kick off your day with a dish full of flavor and a side full of creaminess. Sausage and peppers can be the main entree for a classic morning meal with eggs. Although you can do simple sunny-side-up ones, you would want to take advantage of the chance of having these fluffy, soft, and creamy scrambled eggs. Plus, you only need butter and salt to achieve that!
2. Soft and Chewy Hoagie Bread Rolls
The most recommended way to eat sausage and peppers is to turn it into a sandwich filling for homemade hoagie bread rolls. The sauce seeps into the soft and chewy bread, dispersing the flavor, so it’s more delicious. Making bread at home may seem intimidating to many – and it does take time and effort – but the quality is nothing like you’ll ever get at the store.
3. Homemade Breadsticks
If you want bread but want to avoid turning your sausages into its filling, then pair them with these homemade breadsticks instead. They’re also soft and chewy but buttery and light – perfect for flavorful dishes like saucy sausage and peppers. Moreover, these take less time to make, you can get ready to eat the breadsticks in less than 90 minutes.
4. Brown Rice
Sausage and peppers are phenomenal on top of steamed rice – it feels more heartwarming, and the rice is excellent for soaking up all those sauces. But if you prefer healthier rice with more taste and aroma than plain white rice, then make brown rice instead! It’s also as fluffy as the usual white grains but with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.
5. Gourmet Mushroom Risotto
Another way to incorporate rice into your sausage and peppers meal is to go Italian-style with gourmet mushroom risotto. It’s more flavorful than the other side dishes above, and its taste profile compliments the savory flavors of your main dish and even contributes some earthiness. It’s perfect if you want more depth to your meal.
6. Fluffy Quinoa
If you’re health conscious or love quinoa, try this recipe, the fluffy quinoa makes a great serving bed for sausage and peppers! Like brown rice, it’s light, soft, and has a unique nutty taste. Some nutrients it provides are manganese, magnesium, protein, and copper. You only need 30 minutes for cooking, and the recipe calls for only quinoa and water – nothing else.
7. Cauliflower Rice
Another healthy alternative to rice is cauliflower rice, which is perfect for those on a keto or low-carb diet! Like quinoa, it provides many fresh nutrients, as cauliflower is rich in fiber, vitamins, folate, and more. However, cauliflower tastes and feels distinctly different from rice. Thus, you can’t expect the same fluffiness, softness, or delicious nutty taste you get from the other options.
8. Creamy Polenta
Polenta is an Italian porridge known for its creamy, buttery taste with hints of sweet corn flavors. It’s made from cornmeal – hence the latter statement – and can be served for any meal, whether breakfast or dinner. You can top it with other dishes, such as sausage and peppers. You’d have to serve it on time, as otherwise it hardens and isn’t so enjoyable anymore.
9. Mashed Potatoes
As you may have noticed, sausage and peppers are excellent with creamy, delicious, carb-based side dishes. What better fits that description than classic mashed potatoes? Mashed potatoes are perfect with many entrees, and sausages and peppers are no exception. It’s like steak and gravy on a bed of potatoes, but the gravy tastes tomato-ey and peppery, and the steak is an Italian sausage instead.
10. Roasted Red Potatoes
Sausage and peppers are often served with roasted potatoes. But instead of going for the usual Yukon golds and other popular types, try roasting red potatoes. Not only does their skin have an eye-catching color, but they also have a neutral palate that absorbs the recipe’s seasonings well. It’s also excellent for taking in the sausage and pepper flavors.
11. Crispy Baked Polenta Fries
Sausages and fries are a classic pairing, but if you want to deviate from the usual potato fries, use polenta instead. This recipe is also a great way to transform your homemade polenta once it’s hardened. But if you don’t want to wait until your polenta is hard, use pre-made packs. Polenta fries stand out for their extra-creamy center, which you won’t get with any other fry.
12. Arancini di Riso (Sicilian Rice Balls)
Italians certainly know their way around rice as they bring us another innovative way of enjoying it: arancini or deep-fried rice balls. These rice balls are coated with a breading mixture, so every bite is full of crunch. Each ball is stuffed with meat, cheese, tomato sauce, or peas. Thus, when paired with sausage and peppers, arancini contributes new textures and flavors.
13. Penne Pasta with Easy Marinara
Italian-inspired dishes, like sausage and peppers, are gracefully elevated by Italian classics, such as pasta with marinara sauce. The two dishes’ flavors also match, as sausage and peppers often have a tomato-based sauce, similar to this pasta recipe. Although this one uses penne, which perfectly absorbs the marinara sauce, you can also try it with other kinds of pasta.
