Instant Pot Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe for Quick Dinners

Quick and easy Instant Pot sausage and peppers, made with simple ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes. This comforting one-pot meal features Italian herbs, tomatoes, onions and colorful bell peppers for a satisfying dinner any night of the week.

This is a shortcut version of a classic sausage-and-peppers dish. Normally prepared on the stovetop or baked, this Instant Pot method reduces splatter and cleanup while delivering the same great flavor. It pairs well with simple sides and can be adapted with different seasonings to suit your taste.

How to make sausage and peppers in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker

1. Turn on the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting and heat the oil.
2. Brown whole sausages on all sides, then remove and slice into thick rounds.
3. Sauté onions and garlic in the hot pot until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add sliced sausages, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
5. Pour in water or broth, stir to combine, then place the lid on and seal the valve.
6. Select “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) and set the timer for 10 minutes.
7. When cooking finishes, carefully release the pressure by switching the valve to venting.
8. Open the lid, stir gently and adjust the sauce consistency with the “Sauté” function if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve.

How to make baked Italian sausage, peppers and onions in the oven

1. Arrange sliced sausages, garlic, bell peppers, onions, herbs and seasoning on a large sheet pan or in a skillet.
2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through so everything cooks evenly.
3. Remove from the oven, stir in 1 cup of tomato sauce, then bake another 5–10 minutes until heated through and saucy.
4. Serve hot with bread, rolls or your favorite side.

Sides that pair well

• Homemade bread or garlic bread
• Sandwich rolls for sausage subs
• Coleslaw or a crisp green salad
• Fries, roasted potatoes or quinoa
• Pasta or rice for a heartier meal

Tips and techniques

• Use homemade or store-bought Italian seasoning. For a different flavor, try Mexican or Cajun seasoning.
• Slicing sausages makes them easier to eat, though you can leave them whole if you prefer.
• Choose a mix of red, yellow and green peppers for color and balanced sweetness.
• Avoid frozen peppers — they release water during cooking and can thin the sauce.
• If the sauce is too thin, use the “Sauté” function to reduce it for 5–10 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
• If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of broth or water.
• Don’t slice peppers or onions too thin; thicker pieces hold their texture better and won’t dissolve into the sauce.

Variations

• Sausage, peppers and potatoes — add two medium diced potatoes to make it heartier.
• Stir in cooked pasta to transform it into a filling one-pot pasta dish.
• Sausage sandwiches — pile the cooked sausage, peppers and onions onto crusty bread with provolone or mozzarella, broil until the cheese melts, and enjoy.

More one-pot sausage recipes

• Crockpot Little Smokies (cocktail sausages)
• Oven roasted sausage and vegetables (one pan)
• One-pot Italian sausage pasta

Recipe