20 Minute Skillet Sausage & Zucchini
Throw together this quick skillet dinner when you need a healthy and satisfying meal in a hurry! You’ll love this perfectly seasoned mix of sausage, zucchini, peppers, and onions. Whole30 compliant, dairy free, gluten free — and extra delicious!
This 20 Minute Skillet Sausage & Zucchini is easy and flavorful. It tastes a lot like a classic Italian Sausage and Peppers dish but you’re getting some extra veggies in there thanks to the zucchini.
This recipe really needs to be in your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s just one of those quick meals that’s perfect for when I don’t really want to be in the kitchen. You have those nights too, don’t you? Those nights when the idea of coming up with something to eat, making it, and then cleaning it up… I’m exhausted just thinking about it. But this one skillet wonder involves minimal prep and clean up. It’s simple enough to do when I want to do nothing.
Zucchini, onion, and bell pepper… light but super tasty! Chop those veggies up so they’re all close to the same size. This ensures you can get a little of everything in each bite and smaller pieces means they’ll cook faster too.
We’re using lots of seasonings to really make this skillet meal special. The list might feel a little long but you likely have everything you need already. You’ll need dried oregano, dried basil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Simple seasonings that give us plenty o’ big flavor!
To make this dish, you’ll start by sautéing your sausage. It’s a fully cooked sausage so we’re really just taking this opportunity to get some browning on all the sides. Then remove from the pan and set aside.
Now it’s time to sauté all those veggies. This just takes 5 to 10 minutes because we’ve cut them pretty small. Season. Once they get tender and you see some browned bits, add the sausage back along with minced garlic. (Because of course we’re using plenty of garlic.) Then let everything warm up for a minute or two and you’re done.
It’s truly an easy dish that’s ready in 20 minutes!
What kind of sausage should you use?
Any fully cooked sausage will work. Chicken, beef, pork, or turkey are all great options. I prefer Applegate Chicken Sausage (the one from the refrigerated case and not the frozen section) because their ingredient list is incredible and I’ve never tried one of their varieties that I didn’t like. Not an ad. Just my preference! The Chicken & Apple flavor is my personal favorite. Aidell’s is another great brand you may enjoy!
If Whole30, make sure you select a Whole30 compliant sausage. You’ll want to read the label because many brands will include sugar. Applegate, Aidell’s, Teton Waters Ranch, Pederson Farms, and Belinski’s all have Whole30 compliant (or approved) sausage options.
Can you substitute other veggies?
This recipe is clearly designed to make those most of zucchini but there are of course other vegetables you could include instead. Yellow squash would be my top pick and green beans would work well too. I always encourage people to get comfortable in the kitchen and try new things! Swapping out a veggie is one simple way to make a recipe work for you and use up what’s in your fridge!
How to serve this dish?
Oh there are so many ways to serve up this easy meal. You can clearly enjoy it as is and it’s just perfect. Light. Flavorful. Healthy. Low carb.
But perhaps you want to add something to stretch this dish a bit further? Serving over cauliflower rice will keep things ultra light but enable to you sneak in some more veggies!
Maybe you’d like to add some grains or carbs to make this extra satiating? That works too! Try serving over traditional white or brown rice, Easy Seasoned Roasted Potatoes, Easy Diced Air Fryer Potatoes, or Skillet Breakfast Potatoes. I’m a big believer in the power of layering skillet meals over something else. Works like a dream!
No matter how you choose to serve this dish, you’re going to be happily gobbling it all up in 20 minutes or less. BOOM. My kind of recipe, friend.
More recipes like this:
Easy Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry
Skillet Chicken & Brussels Sprouts
Sausage & Veggie Bowls with Easy Mustard Sauce
20 Minute Skillet Sausage & Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 4 fully cooked sausages, sliced into circles 1/4 inch thick
- 2 medium zucchini, cubed
- 1 onion, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (close to same size as zucchini)
- 1 bell pepper, any color, cut into 3/4 inch pieces (close to same size as zucchini)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
Optional: Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add sliced sausage. Sautè, flipping sausage frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes or until sausage slices have some browning. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil to skillet with the zucchini, onion, and bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir. Let cook until the onion is translucent and peppers and zucchini are close to tender, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add sausage back to the skillet along with minced garlic. Stir. Cover so everything heats through for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste. Add extra salt if desired. Garnish with chopped fresh basil (optional).
66 Comments on “20 Minute Skillet Sausage & Zucchini”
Quick, easy, and delicious!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you!
This was a simply delicious, veggie-packed colorful blend of savory summer-flavors! And so easy too! I used Italian pork sausage, zucchini and yellow squash, red onion, a pre-mixed Italian Seasoning.. but all the rest was same.
This was delicious! We used 2 aloha peppers and ate over rice. We had never eaten chicken sausage before and it was so tasty in this dish! We are definitely converted now. This was a good meal to make as a family. My three year old helped with the prep of chopping with me and my husband cooked the sausage while we prepped the veggies. I will definitely be making this again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Love the peppers!
We loved this dish! The seasoning was delicious. I would serve it over rice next time! I used a garlic smoked sausage. My 14 month old loved it too!
This was delicious and super easy to make. My family gobbled this up!
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a kind comment! So happy you enjoyed it!
Super delicious!! My family loved it!! A very kid-friendly meal. Thank you!! 🙂
Loved this recipe! Sooo good. Is the 12 carbs for the entire thing or per serving? And if it’s per serving, what size is the serving?
LOVE this one!! So yummy!
Was very good and easy to make.
I was looking for a quick Whole30 compliant recipe to make and this is delicious! I’m glad I came across this, it was simple to throw together ingredients I had, I also added some potatoes and topped with hot sauce. Since I was the only one eating tonight, there’s leftovers for lunch tomorrow! I’ll probably add some avocado for plated fat. My husband said it smelt yummy too!
Delicious! My family loved it. Served it over rice.
This was delicious! We used chicken apple sausage and it was a wonderful addition. This is going to be on my go to list of recipes. Thank you!
One of my family’s new favorite recipes! It also warms up nicely in the microwave for work lunches!
Love it super easy and delicious What would u put with it tho I was think rice but I was to lazy 😂😂
So good quick easy and flavorful. Had it over brown rice yummy
This was a pleasant surprise! Really delicious!
Quick and easy
So delicious! And such a quick and easy recipe! Will definitely make again!
It’s really good with some yellow squash too!!! Awesome recipe, it’s so yummy!
Taste amazing, I cheated on the bell pepper and onion. Went to the dollar store in the freezer section and bought a tri bell pepper and onion melody. Yummy and delicious and served over jasmine rice.
Made this last night and it was great!! I used the Al Fresco sweet apple chicken sausage. Also added 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon chicken with 1/2 cup water to the final step and let simmer for about 5 mins to have a bit of a sauce. Served over yellow rice. So flippin tasty!!
This recipe is very good but I tweaked it a lot. I used fresh Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and mushrooms and fresh garlic when the veggies were sautéing. I paired it with rice and pecorino cheese. Yum!
Made this last night. We added mushrooms and some broccoli and it was amazing. Will be making this more often, Such a tasty fast meal.
I am so happy that you enjoyed! Love the additions!
I’ve made this about 5 times now. It is absolutely delicious and gets rave reviews from everyone at the dinner table! Reheats beautifully for lunch the next day if you’re lucky to have any leftovers.
I really enjoyed this. Tasty, quick, easy, and nutritious. So many recipes that say they’re going to take 20 minutes actually end up taking twice that, but this really was a quick recipe to whip up. I always relish the opportunity to get a bunch of vegetables into one meal, and this was definitely that, and the spices made it flavorful, not boring.
Definitely a family favorite!! I add fresh from the garden herbs and tomatoes! 😋
I use cherry tomatoes and riced cauliflower. One of my absolute favourite meals!
I’ve made this twice now for my family! Definitely a quick go-to meal for week nights. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that!
It was really good.
Delicious! We were out of peppers so I subbed in a cooked and cubed sweet potato and it worked well! Will make again, thank you!
I don’t normally comment on recipes, but I had to for this one! It is phenomenal. Simple and delicious. I added potatoes to mine for a little more substance. A must try.
This is going in our regular rotation! So simple, healthful, and fast! The flavors were perfect, and it’s even easy on the cleanup end
Delicious…I may add shrimp next time!
So flavorful! One of my family’s favorite dishes! Love The Whole Cook for her great creativity and clever combinations. Her original recipes are tasty and easy to follow. This is one of many of her wonderful recipes —I recommend following her for even more great meal ideas.
Made this more times than I can count. So easy and delicious, and a great way to get in your vegetables. I add protein pasta in with it. Mwah *chefs kiss*
We absolutely love this recipe! Bursting with flavor and so easy! We use the Beddar with Cheddar sausage. I actually look forward to these leftovers! We also serve it over cilantro lime rice. One of our top 10 favorites!
had it tonight…everyone loved it!
I love this recipe! So easy and healthy really. I use it for meal prep lunches.
Delicious.
It is delicious.
I made this tonight. I used more quantity of veggies as well as added baby carrots, red and green peppers. Also added turkey kielbasa instead of sausage. Delicious and no complaints from the family.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Karen!
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit with the entire family! The only thing I would change for the next time I make it is I would double the recipe. There were NO LEFTOVERS! Thanks for the super easy and delicious recipe 🙂
Hahaha I can definitely relate to that! I’m happy you enjoyed it so much!
Quick and flavorful!
I’ve made this several times now. So quick and easy. I love to put it over some brown rice.
We love this! I’ve been looking for recipes that rely more on vegetables to add into my carb loving family’s meal rotation, and this is a hit! We really like it with a wild rice blend, it adds some awesome texture and flavor
Ive always made this with shrimp along with the sausages. So good! Also frozen peppers and onions. Serving with rice tonight too!
Blah… Needs some flavorful sauce. Not making again.
Thanks for the kind comment 😉
This is so flavorful! It did take longer than 20 minutes, but I will definitely make it again.
This recipe is amazing!!!!! Full of great flavors, good sources of protein! This recipe is now a must have in my kitchen!
Oh my goodness this was fabulous! We added Grey zucchini and yellow squash as well for a higher veggie-to-sausage ratio, and used polish kielbasa. So, so, SO yummy! My parents had dinner with us, and this recipe is going in our boxes for future use 🙂
Love to hear this!!
I make something similar to this in the oven, so I added jalapeno cheese chicken sausage & shrimp instead of regular sausage. It was just what I was looking for to add a twist to this dish. It was a big hit.
Made this for dinner. My husband and I both really enjoyed it ☺️
This was great. I ended up doing sweet Italian sausage in a little bit of olive oil and italian seasonings, cooked first. Used that oil and cooked onion, garlic, the zucchini and peppers. I cooked white rice separately, then added all of it to the pan and sautéed that for a bit. Great flavors.
I made this tonight because I had some zucchini to use up. I used Polish sausage (kielbasa) since that is what I had on hand. It was delicious! I added some penne pasta to mine but my husband skipped the pasta and said it was just as good by itself. This will be added to my recipe rotation!
This is wonderful to hear, Annie! Thank you so much!!
I modified a bit. Added tons of spices, sun dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Put it on a bed of pasta and its a meal everyone loved
So happy you enjoyed, Barb! Thank you!