Name: Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 mild or spicy Italian sausages; 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced; 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced; 1 yellow onion thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ cup marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought sauce; ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 4 buns or rolls of choice; Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

If you love bold flavors and easy grilling, this Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe is a total game-changer. Juicy sausages meet smoky, charred peppers topped off with melty cheese—comfort food, summer style!

The image shows four hot dogs placed close to each other on a white marbled surface. Each hot dog has a soft, split bun with a browned sausage inside. On top of the sausages, there is a layer of grilled red, yellow, and orange bell peppers mixed with caramelized onions, giving a colorful and slightly charred look. Lastly, a drizzle of white creamy sauce is spread over the vegetables and sausage, adding contrast to the vibrant colors. Some lemon wedges and grilled pepper pieces are scattered around the hot dogs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I fire up the grill for this sausage and peppers combo, I know dinner will be a hit with everyone at the table. It’s quick, flavorful, and hits all the right notes of an Italian classic.

Quick and Easy: Ready to eat in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: Juicy sausages paired with sweet and smoky bell peppers and onions.
Customizable Heat: Use mild or spicy Italian sausages to match your preferred flavor kick.
Great for Grilling Season: An easy way to enjoy summer grilling even if you’re short on time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing fresh, high-quality ingredients makes all the difference here. I like to pick sausages with good seasoning and sweet, colorful bell peppers that give the dish its signature pop of color and flavor.

Flat lay of four fresh Italian sausages with natural casings, a small pile of thinly sliced red bell pepper strips, a small pile of thinly sliced yellow bell pepper strips, a small pile of thinly sliced yellow onion rings, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red marinara sauce, a small handful of shredded mozzarella cheese on a white plate, four soft golden buns arranged neatly, and a few sprigs of fresh green basil leaves, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Italian Sausages: The star of the show—mild or spicy, look for well-seasoned, juicy links to get that rich flavor.
Red and Yellow Bell Peppers: They add sweetness and color; slicing them thin helps them grill quickly and evenly.
Yellow Onion: Adds a mellow, slightly sweet contrast to the peppers and sausage.
Olive Oil: Helps everything char beautifully on the grill without sticking.
Salt & Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the veggies to enhance their natural flavors.
Marinara Sauce: Adds that classic Italian tomato tang, balancing the richness of the sausage.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts perfectly for a gooey, cheesy finish.
Buns or Rolls: Grab something sturdy yet soft to hold all those delicious fillings without falling apart.
Fresh Basil: Optional, but it adds a wonderful fresh, fragrant note as a finishing touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe is how easy it is to tweak it just the way you like. Whether you prefer it mild or spicy, loaded up with extra veggies, or topped with a different cheese, it’s all about making it your own delicious creation.

Spicy Kick: I love swapping in spicy Italian sausages for a little heat. It adds a lively punch that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the grilled bell peppers.
Cheese Swap: Feel like trying something different? Provolone or fontina cheeses bring a beautiful melt and subtle flavor twist that’s just as comforting as mozzarella.
Veggie Boost: Adding sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or even a few cherry tomatoes to the grill basket can make the veggies pop with more color and taste.
Indoor Version: No grill? No problem! I sometimes cook the sausages and peppers in a grill pan or skillet on the stovetop. It’s just as tasty and perfect for any season.
Leftovers Reimagined: Don’t let leftovers go to waste — dice the sausages and veggies to mix into pasta or toss with fresh greens for a hearty salad the next day.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

A grilled sausage placed inside a soft, light brown bun serves as the base layer. On top, there are sautéed red and yellow bell pepper strips mixed with slightly charred onion slices, adding a mix of orange, red, and white colors with a shiny texture. A thin drizzle of white sauce flows over the peppers and sausage, with small fresh green basil leaves scattered around. Beside the sandwich, there are several pieces of grilled potato wedges with a crispy, speckled brown surface. The whole dish is placed on white crumpled parchment paper inside a silver wire basket, set on a white marbled surface with a soft gray cloth partially visible underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill

Start by preheating your grill to medium heat. This ensures the sausages and veggies cook evenly without burning. A medium heat gives the perfect balance to develop those gorgeous grill marks and a little char without drying everything out.

Step 2: Prep Your Peppers and Onions

While the grill is warming, slice your red and yellow bell peppers and yellow onion thinly. Toss them gently in a bowl with olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. This simple seasoning brings out their natural sweetness and helps achieve a tasty char when grilled.

Step 3: Grill Those Sausages

Place your Italian sausages directly on the grill grates. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until they’re browned and fully cooked inside. Look for a nice golden exterior and avoid piercing the sausages so the juices stay locked in. Once done, transfer them to a plate and tent with foil or set on a cooler part of the grill to keep warm.

Step 4: Grill the Peppers and Onions

While the sausages cook, pop your seasoned veggies into a grill basket. Grill over medium heat for about 7 to 10 minutes, tossing occasionally. You’re aiming for tender vegetables with a slight char that adds a smoky depth. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.

Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches

Now for the fun part: building your sandwiches! Place one grilled sausage into each bun or roll. Pile on a generous helping of the grilled peppers and onions. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 6: Melt the Cheese to Perfection

To get that melty, bubbly cheese, place the assembled sandwiches back on the grill over indirect medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. If you prefer, using your oven’s broiler on high for 1 to 2 minutes works just as well. Just keep a close watch so the cheese melts deliciously without burning.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish off by topping each sandwich with fresh basil for a fragrant, bright note. Serve your Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers hot, and get ready for a mouthwatering meal that’s packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion!

Top Tip

Mastering the Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe is all about great technique and a few insider tricks to get everything perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. Here are some tips from my experience that make all the difference.

Choose Your Sausage Wisely: Picking between mild or spicy Italian sausages really shapes your sandwich flavor. I like starting with mild and adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the veggies for controlled heat.
Preheat the Grill Properly: A medium heat is key to evenly cooking sausages and giving the peppers and onions a nice char without burning. I learned that rushing this step can lead to uneven cooking or flare-ups.
Use a Grill Basket for Veggies: This little tool saves so much hassle—it keeps those sliced peppers and onions from slipping through the grates, making tossing and charring easier.
Melt the Cheese Just Right: I avoid placing the sandwiches directly over high heat to melt the cheese because it can burn the buns. Indirect medium-high heat or a quick broiler session melts the mozzarella beautifully without drying out the bread.

How to Serve Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe

A silver baking tray holds four neat rows of food items arranged from top to bottom. The first row has purple onion halves and slices, layered from left to right with smooth, shiny textures and white inner rings contrasted by deep purple outer layers. The second row features whole and halved red and yellow bell peppers, displaying glossy, smooth skins with vibrant red and yellow colors. The third row has more yellow and orange bell peppers, some whole and some hollowed out, showing their shiny, textured insides. The last row consists of five golden-brown hot dog buns lined up horizontally, one of which is open revealing its soft, fluffy white inside. The background surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh basil is a classic topping that adds a lovely aromatic freshness and vibrant color to each sandwich. For a bit of zing, try a light drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. A touch of grated Parmesan can also complement the melted mozzarella beautifully.

Side Dishes

This sandwich shines alongside crisp, refreshing sides. Think a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette, crunchy coleslaw, or a light pasta salad with olives and cherry tomatoes. For heartier options, serve with oven-baked fries, garlic bread, or grilled corn on the cob to keep the summer grilling vibe going strong.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying your meal, you can store any leftover sausages and grilled peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the buns separate to avoid sogginess. When stored properly, they retain much of their wonderful flavor and texture for quick meals later in the week.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap the cooked sausages and vegetables tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Freeze buns separately or fresh when you're ready to assemble the sandwich.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the sausages and veggies in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Alternatively, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. Add your buns, then reassemble and if desired, melt a bit more mozzarella under a broiler for that fresh-off-the-grill feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken or turkey sausage instead of Italian pork sausage?

Absolutely! Chicken or turkey Italian sausages work well with this recipe. Just be mindful of cooking times as they might vary slightly. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.

What can I substitute for fresh basil if I don’t have any?

If fresh basil isn’t available, you can use fresh oregano or parsley for a fresh herb finish. Dried basil sprinkled over the marinara before assembling can also add some flavor, though fresh herbs are preferred for the best aroma.

Can I make this recipe indoors without a grill?

Yes! You can cook the sausages and vegetables on a grill pan or large stovetop skillet. Just cook sausages over medium heat until done, and sauté the peppers and onions until tender and nicely browned.

How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?

To keep buns from getting soggy, toss the grilled veggies lightly in olive oil but not too much sauce. Also, adding the marinara and cheese right before serving and warming the buns separately (or lightly toasting them) helps maintain the perfect texture.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe is such a crowd-pleaser—simple to make yet packed with bold, comforting flavors. Whether you’re feeding family for dinner or hosting friends for a casual cookout, it delivers that perfect balance of juicy sausage, smoky veggies, melty cheese, and herby freshness. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to get grilling and enjoy this classic sandwich any night of the week!