This post is more of a dinner "idea" than it is a "recipe". Most of the things I prepare at home and post on MilkFreeMom are healthier, lower calorie recipes that I feel good about eating and feeding to my family. There are days, though, that I (and especially my husband) crave something a bit outside my normal realm of "light" eating (gasp!).
Sausage, peppers, and onions have always been a favorite combination of mine, and the Mr. also happens to be a big fan. I prepare this often on game days by tossing everything together in a baking dish with some olive oil, bake until cooked through, and serve on a bun with some mustard. So easy to prepare for a crowd, and it's always a big hit.
This time, I decided to lighten it up by using organic sweet italian chicken sausage patties. The taste is so similar that my husband never knows it's not really pork, and there aren't any fillers or nitrates to feel bad about. I enjoy mine sans bun to keep it even lighter, and serve it to my husband on a fresh ciabatta roll.
Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage with Grilled Peppers & Onions
Serves 4
4 organic sweet italian chicken sausage patties (if you can only find sausages in casings, you can just remove the casings but use 6 sausages)
2 green bell peppers, seeds and membranes removed and cut into rings
1 large onion, cut into rings
nonstick grill spray or a bit of oil
4 ciabatta or gluten free rolls (optional)
your favorite mustard
Lightly spray or oil a grill or grill pan, and heat on medium. Add your vegetables and sausages. You can cook your vegetables to your liking. I prefer mine very soft and slightly charred, and it usually takes me about 10 to 15 minutes on a medium-low heat. The sausage should be cooked through, to at least 165°F. The timing will depend on the thickness of the patties. Mine were pretty thin, and took about 4 minutes per side.
Serve your patties topped with some of the grilled peppers and onions, and your favorite mustard. You can enjoy it on a bun (gluten-free if you're avoiding wheat) or without bun. These are also great topped with a bit of Pepper Jack Daiya!
Nutrition info was calculated without bun and oil. Your results may vary depending on the type of the sausage you use, and of course if you use a bun.
