Sausage and peppers is a classic Italian dish known for its savory flavors and hearty ingredients. In this comprehensive guide, we explore a variety of appetizers, salads, sauces, and vegetables to answer your question “what goes with sausage and peppers?”.
The best dishes to serve with sausage and peppers are Baked Zucchini and Tomato Bruschetta, Garlic Bread, Creamy Polenta, and Baked Zucchini Sticks, Italian Pasta Salad, Caprese Salad, Mediterranean Salad, Marinara Sauce, Tomato Basil Sauce, Garlic Butter Sauce, Onions, Bell Peppers, Zucchini, Mushrooms, etc. You can also serve them with tiramisu, Cannoli, panna cotta, and Ricotta Cheesecake.
Appetizers To Serve With Italian Sausage And Peppers
Baked Zucchini and Tomato Bruschetta
Baked zucchini and tomato bruschetta is a flavorful appetizer that combines the freshness of ripe tomatoes and zucchini with aromatic herbs and garlic.
To prepare the bruschetta, bake slices of zucchini and tomato until tender and seasoned to perfection. Meanwhile, toast slices of crusty Italian bread until golden and crispy. Once the vegetables are ready, assemble the bruschetta by topping each toast with the baked zucchini and tomato mixture. Add extra toppings like fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
When served alongside sausage and peppers, bruschetta’s vibrant flavors complement the dish’s rich, savory taste, adding a refreshing contrast to each bite.
Garlic Bread
As you take your first bite, you’re greeted by the satisfying crunch of the crispy exterior, giving way to the soft, buttery center bursting with garlic flavor. This classic accompaniment to Italian dishes becomes a delightful experience when paired with sausage and peppers. The warm, aromatic garlic bread complements the rich flavors of the dish, adding depth and indulgence to every bite.
Creamy Polenta
Creamy polenta, made from finely ground cornmeal cooked in water or broth until thick and smooth, is a comforting and versatile side dish.
When served with sausage and peppers, the smooth and velvety texture of the polenta provides a luxurious backdrop for the dish’s bold flavors, resulting in a truly indulgent dining experience.
Baked Eggplant Slices With Ricotta Cheese
Baked eggplant slices stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and seasoned breadcrumbs are a delectable appetizer to serve with sausage and peppers.
o prepare, eggplant slices are first seasoned and baked until they become tender and golden brown. Then, they are layered with a generous spread of ricotta cheese mixed with herbs and spices
The creamy ricotta filling complements the robust flavors of the sausage and peppers, while the tender eggplant adds a satisfying bite to each mouthful.
Baked Zucchini Sticks
Baked zucchini sticks, with their crispy exterior and tender interior, are a healthier alternative to traditional fried appetizers.
To make them, zucchini is cut into long, thin sticks and coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture. The zucchini sticks are then baked in the oven until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, while still tender on the inside.
When paired with sausage and peppers, the light and refreshing zucchini sticks provide a delightful contrast to the richness of the dish, adding a burst of freshness to every bite.
What Salads To Serve With Sausage And Peppers?
Italian Pasta Salad
A classic Italian pasta salad is a perfect match for sausage and peppers. Toss pasta with cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, diced bell peppers, red onion, and fresh herbs like basil and parsley. Dress with a tangy Italian vinaigrette for a refreshing side dish. The salad is typically served chilled, making it a refreshing and satisfying option, especially during warmer months.
The cool and refreshing salad provides a nice balance to the warm and savory sausage and peppers. The tangy Italian dressing complements the richness of the sausage, while the crisp vegetables and cheese add a fresh and satisfying crunch.
Caprese Salad
Elevate your meal with the simplicity and elegance of a Caprese salad. Arrange slices of ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese on a platter, alternating with fragrant basil leaves. Drizzle with a rich balsamic glaze and extra-virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. The vibrant colors and delicate flavors of this salad provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty sausage and peppers.
Mixed Green Salad
A classic mixed green salad offers endless possibilities for customization. Combine a variety of fresh salad greens—such as spinach, arugula, and romaine lettuce—with an array of crisp and colorful vegetables. Consider adding cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, thinly sliced red onion, and shredded carrots for added crunch and flavor. Toss everything together with a zesty lemon vinaigrette or a bold balsamic dressing to create a light and refreshing accompaniment to the savory sausage and peppers.
Mediterranean Salad
Transport your taste buds to the shores of the Mediterranean with a vibrant and flavorful salad. Start with a base of chopped romaine lettuce and add an assortment of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Think briny Kalamata olives, creamy feta cheese, diced cucumbers, roasted red peppers, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle with a tangy Greek vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and aromatic oregano for a burst of Mediterranean flavor that pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of sausage and peppers.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
Fire up the grill and prepare a tantalizing array of grilled vegetables for a salad that is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Grill an assortment of seasonal vegetables—such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and red onions—until tender and lightly charred. Once cooled, chop the grilled vegetables and toss them with a bed of mixed greens. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a hearty and satisfying salad that perfectly complements the smoky flavors of sausage and peppers.
What Sauce Goes With Sausage And Peppers?
Marinara Sauce
A classic marinara sauce is a natural choice to serve with sausage and peppers. Made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, and spices, marinara sauce adds a rich and tangy flavor that complements the savory taste of the sausage and peppers. Whether homemade or store-bought, marinara sauce provides a delicious finishing touch to this hearty dish.
Tomato Basil Sauce
Similar to marinara sauce but with the addition of fresh basil, tomato basil sauce offers a vibrant and aromatic twist to sausage and peppers. The fragrant basil enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, creating a sauce that is both comforting and flavorful. Serve generously over the sausage and peppers for a burst of freshness in every bite.
Arrabbiata Sauce
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, arrabbiata sauce is an excellent choice to accompany sausage and peppers. Made with tomatoes, garlic, chili peppers, and olive oil, arrabbiata sauce packs a spicy punch that balances the richness of the dish. The fiery flavor of the sauce adds depth and complexity to the sausage and peppers, creating a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Garlic Butter Sauce
Indulge in the decadent richness of garlic butter sauce paired with sausage and peppers. Made from butter, garlic, herbs, and a splash of lemon juice, garlic butter sauce offers a luxurious and velvety texture that coats the sausage and peppers with irresistible flavor. Drizzle the sauce over the dish just before serving for a decadent finishing touch.
Balsamic Glaze
For a touch of sweetness and acidity, balsamic glaze is an excellent choice to serve alongside sausage and peppers. Made from balsamic vinegar that has been reduced and sweetened, balsamic glaze adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the peppers. Drizzle the glaze over the sausage and peppers for an elegant presentation and a burst of flavor.
What Vegetables Go Good With Sausage And Peppers?
Onions
Onions are a foundational ingredient in sausage and peppers recipes, lending a sweet and savory flavor profile that forms the basis of the dish’s aromatic foundation. Sliced or diced, onions are sautéed until caramelized and golden brown, infusing the dish with rich, caramelized notes that complement the savory flavors of the sausage and peppers.
Bell Peppers
Vibrant and colorful bell peppers are a hallmark of sausage and peppers dishes, offering a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that balances the richness of the sausage. Sliced into strips and cooked until tender-crisp, bell peppers add a burst of freshness and a satisfying crunch to the dish, as well as a visually appealing pop of color.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a versatile summer squash that complements sausage and peppers beautifully, adding a mild, subtly sweet flavor and tender texture to the dish. Sliced or diced, zucchini is sautéed until golden brown and caramelized, imparting a rich, buttery flavor that melds harmoniously with the other ingredients in the skillet.
Mushrooms
Earthy and savory mushrooms are a delicious addition to sausage and peppers, providing depth of flavor and meaty texture to the dish. Sliced or quartered, mushrooms are sautéed until golden brown and caramelized, adding a rich, umami-rich element that enhances the overall complexity of the dish.
Garlic
Aromatic and pungent, garlic is a fundamental ingredient in sausage and peppers recipes, infusing the dish with its distinctively bold flavor and aroma. Minced or sliced, garlic is sautéed until fragrant and golden brown, imparting its signature essence to the dish and enhancing its overall depth and complexity.
Eggplant
Hearty and versatile eggplant is a delicious addition to sausage and peppers, offering a meaty texture and subtly sweet flavor that complements the savory notes of the sausage. Sliced or diced, eggplant is sautéed until tender and golden brown, adding richness and depth to the dish while contributing its own unique character to the overall flavor profile.
Italian Desserts
Tiramisu
This classic Italian dessert features layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone cheese, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Its rich and indulgent flavors provide a satisfying contrast to the savory notes of sausage and peppers, making it an ideal choice for a sweet finish to the meal.
Cannoli
These iconic Sicilian pastries consist of crisp, fried pastry shells filled with a sweetened ricotta cheese filling. Cannoli are often garnished with chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, or candied fruit, adding a delightful crunch and burst of flavor that complements the hearty flavors of sausage and peppers.
Panna Cotta
This delicate Italian dessert features a creamy, custard-like pudding made with sweetened cream and gelatin. Panna cotta can be flavored with vanilla, coffee, caramel, or fruit purees, offering endless possibilities for customization to suit your preferences. Its smooth and velvety texture provides a luxurious finale to any meal, including one featuring sausage and peppers.
Ricotta Cheesecake
Unlike traditional New York-style cheesecake, Italian ricotta cheesecake is lighter and less dense, with a creamy texture and subtle sweetness. Made with creamy ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and a hint of citrus zest, this cheesecake is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of fruit compote for added flavor and visual appeal.
FAQs
What goes with sausage and peppers sandwich?
A sausage and peppers sandwich is a satisfying meal on its own, but it can be enhanced with the addition of complementary side dishes. Consider serving the sandwich with a side of crispy french fries or sweet potato fries, whose crispy texture and savory flavor complement the richness of the sandwich.
What goes with sausage peppers and onions?
Sausage, peppers, and onions is a classic combination that is bursting with flavor. To complement this dish, consider serving it with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery garlic mashed cauliflower, whose creamy texture and subtle flavors contrast the bold and savory taste of the sausage, peppers, and onions.
What goes with sausage and peppers and potatoes?
Sausage and peppers with potatoes is a hearty and comforting dish that pairs well with various side dishes. Consider serving it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad, whose vibrant flavors and textures complement the rich and savory taste of the dish, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
References:
- Sausage and peppers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_and_peppers
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