Bell Pepper and Smoked Sausage Dinner
Sheet pan Cajun smoked sausage dinner with peppers and onions is an easy, flavorful one-pan meal ready in about 35 minutes.
If you’re looking for an easy dinner for a busy weeknight that delivers big flavor with very little cleanup, this Cajun Smoked Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner deserves a spot on your menu. I make this dish monthly in my house. At least. It’s quick. It’s easy to prepare. The ingredients are cheap, and my family loves it.
Smoked sausage, green bell peppers, and sweet onions are tossed with olive oil and Cajun seasoning, then roasted until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is perfectly browned around the edges. Serve it on its own for a low-carb meal or spoon it over rice or buttered egg noodles to stretch it even further.
“I was looking for something to make using my green pepper … I typically don’t use Cajun Seasoning, but thought I would try it. Made some Instant Rice to go with this, It turned out so good. So easy. I will definitely be making this often.”
-Kwald
Recipe at a glance
- Ready in about 35 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Only one pan to wash. Everything cooks together on a single sheet pan for easy cleanup.
- Packed with Cajun flavor. The smoky sausage pairs perfectly with tender peppers, onions, and your favorite Cajun seasoning.
- Easy to customize. Swap the peppers, add more vegetables, or adjust the spice level to suit your family’s tastes.
- Budget friendly. Smoked sausage is an inexpensive way to create a hearty meal that feeds the whole family.
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Ingredients you will need
Cajun smoked sausage sheet pan dinner with peppers and onions is an easy, flavorful one-pan meal ready in about 35 minutes. To make this smoked sausage recipe, you will need:
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Smoked sausage – Any fully cooked smoked sausage works well in this recipe. Andouille sausage will give the dish a little extra heat, while kielbasa or beef smoked sausage offers a milder flavor.
- Bell peppers – I like using green bell peppers, but a a combination of red, yellow, and green bell peppers work just fine, too.
- Onion – A yellow onion becomes sweet and caramelized as it roasts. A sweet onion such as Vidalia is another excellent option.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds the best flavor. Since garlic can burn quickly, tossing it with the vegetables helps protect it while roasting.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought or try my homemade Cajun seasoning. Keep in mind that some blends contain much more salt than others, so taste the finished dish before adding additional salt.
Substitutions and variations
This recipe is easy to make your own.
- Add sliced mushrooms for extra savory flavor.
- Toss in zucchini during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Add broccoli florets for extra vegetables.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or cheddar cheese before serving.
- Use turkey sausage or chicken sausage for a lighter meal.
- Use mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage. If using raw sausages, slice them into rounds and make sure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F for beef or pork sausage or 165°F for chicken or turkey sausage before serving.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you enjoy extra heat.
How to make bell pepper and smoked sausage dinner
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange the bell peppers, onion, and garlic on a large sheet pan coated with foil or cooking spray. Add the sliced smoked sausage.
Step 2: Drizzle everything with the olive oil and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the top and toss again until the slices of smoked sausage and vegetables are well seasoned.
Step 3: Spread everything into an even layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan so the vegetables roast instead of steam.
Step 4: Roast for 22 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the peppers and onions are tender and lightly caramelized and the sausage is browned around the edges. Taste and season with additional salt if needed before serving.
Recipe tips
- Slice the sausage into evenly sized rounds so it browns at the same rate.
- Spread everything into a single layer on the baking sheet. If the pan is overcrowded, use two sheet pans for better caramelization.
- Stir halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- For even more color, broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Serving suggestions
This sheet pan dinner is satisfying on its own, but it’s also delicious served with:
- Steamed white rice or brown rice
- Buttered egg noodles
- Creamy garlic mashed potatoes
- Cheddar cheese grits
- Skillet cornbread or cracklin’ bread
- A simple green salad
- Apple cabbage coleslaw
Storage and reheating instructions
Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating. Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave individual servings in 30-second intervals until hot.
Freezing. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers of this dish. The vegetables will look their texture once thawed and will end up mushy and watery.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Slice the sausage and chop the vegetables up to one day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
You can, but fresh vegetables roast much better. Frozen vegetables release extra moisture, which can prevent the sausage and vegetables from browning.
Yes! Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Toss the sausage, peppers, onion, and garlic with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the Cajun seasoning. Arrange everything in an even layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is browned around the edges. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the recipe in batches to avoid overcrowding.
More easy smoked sausage recipes
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If you made Bell Pepper and Smoked Sausage Dinner, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Your ratings and reviews help others find the recipe and give me great feedback too.
Sheet Pan Peppers and Smoked Sausage Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 small onion, sliced into rings
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 16-ounce smoked sausage links, cut into ¼ inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the bell peppers, onion, and garlic on the prepared baking sheet. Add the sliced sausage. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning and toss again until the vegetables and sausage are well coated.
- Spread the mixture into an even layer. Roast for 22 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized and the sausage is browned around the edges.
- Taste and season with additional salt, if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Spread the sausage and vegetables into a single layer so they roast and caramelize rather than steam. Use two sheet pans if necessary.
- Cut everything evenly. Slice the sausage into ¼-inch rounds and keep the vegetables similar in size so everything cooks evenly.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to taste. Start with one tablespoon for milder flavor and increase to two tablespoons for more seasoning and heat.
- Watch the salt. Cajun seasoning and smoked sausage can both be high in sodium. Taste the finished dish before adding additional salt.
- Change up the sausage. Andouille, kielbasa, beef, chicken, or turkey smoked sausage can be substituted. Italian sausage can also be used, but raw sausage must be cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Add more vegetables. Mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts are easy additions. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the vegetables you use.
- For extra browning, broil the sausage and vegetables for 2–3 minutes at the end of the cooking time, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F for 10–15 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through. Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding.
Nutrition
I’m so glad to hear this! I serve this at least once a month in my house. Thanks for the review.
I was looking for something to make using my green pepper. And looked in the freezer and found some sausage. I made a half recipe and used my air fryer. I tossed it a few times during cooking, followed the 350 degrees and approx 20 min to cook. I typically don’t use Cajun Seasoning, but thought I would try it. Made some Instant Rice to go with this, It turned out so good. So easy. I will definately be making this often.
You are so welcome!
i was having a hankering for bell peppers that wasn’t a stuffed bell peppers or fajitas, thank you so much for the recipe! i love it.
One sheet pan meals are the best weeknight meals! Hassle free and delicious!
This would be such a fab weekday dinner and looks absolutely delicious too. I love sausage and add it to our meal from time to time n they make the recipe filling too.
This looks great! I have been making a lot of sheet pan meals lately. I love how roasting caramelizes everything, and clean-up is a snap!
Sheet pan dinner make moms lift much easier and this one sounds amazing!
What a fabulous weeknight meal!