Instant Pot Italian Sausage and Peppers is a quick & easy recipe. The Italian flavors of garlic & basil add to the delicious combination. In 30 minutes this simple meal with juicy links of sausage in a savory sauce is a weeknight game changer.
Why this Sausage & Peppers Recipe is Amazing: The pressure cooker is used for both browning & cooking everything together so the sausage not only stays juicy but also soaks in the flavors of the peppers, onions, tomatoes, & spices - every bite is pure WOW!
Browning the link adds flavor & helps hold those meaty juices inside - don't skip this step. It may splatter as it cooks quickly so make sure you can see down into the insert. This requires I get on my step stool & that is ok - safety first!
This was inspired by my Italian-inspired recipe for Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Spaghetti which is a kid favorite. Both pair well with ciabatta. Ok, now we cook!
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Ingredients
Start with 1-2 sausage links per person based on how you will be serving these and how big of appetites you are feeding. If serving in a roll as a sandwich 1 may be enough but if slicing on their own, hearty appetites may want 2.
If you have never had Italian link sausage, it is a flavored pork sausage. It typically has garlic and a little fennel, for a subtle anise or licorice flavor. They come in sweet or spicy, with the addition of red pepper flakes.
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Olive Oil - needed for the saute mode
- Italian Sausage Links - mild or hot, or both!
- Onion - thick slices of red, white, or yellow
- Bell Peppers - thick slices of the sweet pepper, any color green, yellow, or orange
- Can Diced Tomatoes - plain diced in the juice
- Garlic - minced cloves
- Spices - dried basil, salt, & pepper. Optional; dried oregano & red pepper flakes.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Make
There are only a few quick steps for making sausage and peppers in any electric pressure cooker. This is a great way to cook Italian sausage without the oven or grilling.
I have a 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo & love it. You will need one this size or larger to fit everything.
Here are the easy steps for making this recipe:
- Brown the Italian Sausage
- Add Veggies & Spices
- Set the Instant Pot
- Natural Release & Serve
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Pressure Cook Sausage & Peppers
To ensure these cook evenly since it is done all in one pot, you want to make sure everything cooks in the same amount of time. The key to this is making sure the slices of the peppers and onions are not too small.
You want to cut the 2 large sweet bell peppers and the ½ of onion into large chunky strips. See the image above for a sample. Also, dice 2 garlic cloves. Once all this is ready gather your other ingredients.
1 - Brown the Italian Sausage
Place the insert into the Instant Pot and select SAUTE. Add the olive oil and heat up for 1 minute. Once very hot add the sausage links into the hot oil in a single layer carefully.
Brown for about 3 minutes each before turning. Turn each twice so it browns on 3 sides minimum for a total of 9 minutes for each link. Remove sausages to a plate and set aside.
2 - Add Veggies & Spices
Add the onions and let them cook in the hot oil for about 2 minutes, stirring to ensure they do not stick or burn. Once brown add the garlic and stir.
Add water and deglaze the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the bits. DO NOT SKIP this step to ensure that you do not get a burn warning.
Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL. To the onions and garlic, add the bell pepper slices. On top of that line the sausage in a single layer over the vegetables.
Next, add the full can of diced tomatoes including the liquid and sprinkles on the spices. Add the optional oregano and/or red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
3 - Set the Instant Pot
Once everything is in the Instant Pot, lock the lid in place and be sure the vent valve is closed and sealed. Select MANUAL and press the up/down buttons to set it for 3 minutes.
It will take about 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come under pressure. Then it will cook for 3 minutes. Once it is done cooking let the electric pressure cooker naturally release for 5 minutes ONLY.
Once the 5 minutes is reached on the digital readout, CAREFULLY open the valve on the Instant Pot to release the remaining pressure. CAUTION - STEAM WILL BE HOT! I typically do this with a wooden spoon to push the valve open from a distance.
Serving Suggestions
Open the lid and serve immediately. Use a slotted spoon if serving on rolls for a sandwich. If you want the chunky tomato sauce you a regular spoon and serve it with pasta or plain.
This recipe is great any time of year but especially in fall & winter when you crave comfort food. Make this for Sunday Supper or football game day.
What to Serve with Sausage & Peppers : This is great plated over polenta or pasta. Or enjoy it in a hot dog or hoagie bun for a classic Sausage & Peppers Sandwich served with Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup.
Serve with any of this yummy side dishes or for more recipe ideas, check out WHAT TO SERVE WITH SAUSAGE & PEPPERS:
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.
- #1 Tip - cut the vegetables into large chunky strips, if they are too thin/small they will get too mushy
- DO NOT skip the browning the sausage step.
- Make sure your pressure cooker is large enough to fit everything, this recipe can easily be doubled.
- Classic pork Italian sausage is used but you can substitute for chicken or turkey versions.
- This is a great low-carb, keto, paleo, Whole30, & gluten-free dinner.
- Saute cut up leftover sausages, peppers, etc into a skillet in the morning & add scrambled eggs for an amazing breakfast.
Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers
Equipment
- Instant Pot or other Electric Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 Sweet or Spicy Italian sausage link
- ½ red or sweet large onion cut into ½" half rings
- 2 sweet bell peppers seeded & sliced into ½″ wide long slices
- ½ Cup water
- 15 oz Can Diced Tomatoes do NOT drain
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- salt & peppers to taste
- ½ teaspoon crushed red peppers Optional
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Cut the 2 large sweet bell peppers and the ½ of onion into large ½ inch chunky strips. Also, mince 2 garlic cloves.
- Select the SAUTE option on your Instant Pot. After about a minute when it is hot, add olive oil and then, add sausages in a single layer on the bottom.
- Brown for about 3 minutes each before turning. Turn each twice so it browns on 3 sides minimum for a total of 9 minutes for each link. Remove sausages to a plate and set them aside.
- Add the onions and let them cook in the hot oil for about 2 minutes, stir to ensure they do not stick or burn. Once brown add the garlic and stir. Add water and deglaze the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the bits.
- Turn the pot off by selecting CANCEL. This will stop the saute step. To the onions and garlic, add the bell pepper slices. On top of that line the sausage in a single layer over the vegetables.
- Next, add the full can of diced tomatoes including the liquid. For the last step, add the basil, salt, and pepper. Add the optional red pepper flakes.
- Once everything is in the Instant Pot, lock the lid in place and be sure the vent valve is closed and sealed. Select MANUAL and press the up/down buttons to set it for 3 minutes.
- Once it is done cooking let the electric pressure cooker naturally release for 5 minutes. Once the 5 minutes is reached on the digital readout, CAREFULLY open the valve on the Instant Pot to release the remaining pressure. CAUTION – STEAM WILL BE HOT!
- Serve immediately using a slotted spoon if spooning onto rolls for sandwiches. Enjoy as a sandwich or with pasta, polenta, and more.
- Instant Pot sausage and peppers can be stored in an air-tighter container in either the refrigerator for up to 5 days or 30 days in the freezer.
Notes
- Cooked sausage and peppers can be stored in an air-tighter container in either the refrigerator for up to 5 days or 30 days in the freezer.
- Chop up leftovers and heat on medium in a pan, add scrambled eggs & cook up an amazing breakfast skillet.
- Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute.
- Instead of pork Italian sausage, use chicken or turkey.
- Instead of bell peppers, substitute with mild Italian varieties like Jimmy Nardellos, Italian frying peppers (peperone friariello), or lombardo.
Nutrition
More Italian Main Dish Recipes
Here are some similar recipes for Italian meat dinners that are not just pasta:
Alexa says
This looks so good!
Angela says
Thank you.
Marianne says
Looks a lot like something my grandmother used to make... minus the Instant Pot of course! Looks great!
Angela says
I hope you give it a try in the Instant Pot and bring back some memories of grandma's cooking with a new twist.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
What a great sandwich!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party. Hope the rest of your week is amazing!
Sabrina DeWalt says
I am not a fan of peppers, but I bet I could work around that.
Elizabeth says
This looks so delicious and something my family would really enjoy! I'm going to have to try it out really soon!
Cindy Moore says
Yum I'll try this with vegan "sausages"!
Miz Helen says
Sausage and peppers a great flavor combination for the Instant Pot! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Rika says
I love the simplicity of this dish. It's so quick to make and flavorful! Thanks for sharing a great recipe.
Heather Perine says
This was easy and delicious! Everyone loved it..and we're enjoying seconds for lunch 🙂 Thank you!
Mindee Taylor says
Holy Moly these were amazing! Served them as game day food. Huge hit!
Healing Tomato says
We love instant pot peppers because it cooks them perfectly. Your recipe looks really easy to make and perfect dinner for those really busy weeknights.
Seema Sriram says
The simplicity of this meal is lovely. I may make a ton of the peppers though as I love them.
Traci says
This Italian sausage is super yum and always a favorite dinner! We love it for last minute meals. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sharon says
It had excellent flavor but just a little too soft. I did 3 minutes with 5 minute sit time. Would you recommend a shorter sit time, or maybe putting the peppers on top of the sausage instead of beneath it? I did use mini peppers but cut them into half inch slices.
Angela says
If you like a more firm pepper, you can make them into bigger chunks & put them on top. Let me know if that helps.