This Sausage And Veggie Skillet is unbelievably easy (thanks to frozen veggies) while being loaded with flavor (thanks to an incredible spice blend)!

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Easy & Flavorful Sausage and Veggie Skillet: Your Ultimate Weeknight Lifesaver

Are you constantly searching for quick, nutritious, and undeniably delicious meal ideas that won’t keep you chained to the kitchen? Look no further! This Sausage and Veggie Skillet is a true culinary hero, designed to simplify your weeknights without compromising on taste. Thanks to the convenience of frozen vegetables and a thoughtfully crafted spice blend, you can whip up a hearty, flavor-packed dinner in under 30 minutes.

Say goodbye to endless chopping and complicated prep work. This one-pan wonder brings together savory Italian sausage and an abundance of colorful veggies, all cooked to perfection with minimal effort. It’s the kind of meal that satisfies everyone at the table, from busy adults to even the pickiest eaters. Forget bland, steamed vegetables; with this recipe, every bite is an explosion of savory, herby goodness that will have your family asking for seconds.

Why This Sausage & Veggie Skillet is a Must-Try

This isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a game-changer for your meal rotation. Here’s why this skillet dish deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen:

Unbeatable Convenience with Frozen Vegetables

The secret weapon in this recipe is undoubtedly frozen vegetables. They are a total time-saver, eliminating the need for extensive washing, peeling, and chopping. But their benefits go beyond mere convenience. Frozen vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness and flash-frozen, locking in essential nutrients. This means you’re getting all the important vitamins and minerals with minimal work. Plus, they’re often more affordable and reduce food waste compared to fresh produce, making them a smart choice for any home cook. We’re talking about significantly cutting down your prep time, allowing you more moments to relax after a long day.

Packed with Irresistible Flavor

While the ease of this dish is a major selling point, the flavor profile is what truly sets it apart. The combination of savory Italian sausage and a carefully selected blend of herbs and spices transforms ordinary frozen vegetables into something truly extraordinary. Each spice plays a crucial role: dried basil and oregano bring a classic Italian aroma, thyme adds an earthy warmth, paprika provides a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, while onion and garlic powder deepen the overall savory notes. This harmonious blend ensures that every forkful is bursting with a delicious, comforting taste that’s far from boring. Even those who typically shy away from vegetables will find themselves reaching for more!

A Family Favorite, Guaranteed

This meal strikes the perfect balance between being hearty and nutritious. It’s a comforting “meat and potatoes” style dish that is generously loaded with vegetables, yet it’s still a guaranteed hit with kids. The robust flavor of the Italian sausage, combined with the aromatic herbs and spices, makes the vegetables incredibly appealing. There’s no bland, mushy broccoli to complain about here – instead, you get tender, flavorful veggies that complement the sausage beautifully. It’s a smart way to get more greens and colorful produce onto your family’s plates without a fuss.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Skillet

While this recipe prides itself on simplicity, a few key ingredients are worth highlighting to ensure your skillet is nothing short of spectacular.

Ground Italian Sausage: The Heart of the Dish

Italian-style ground sausage: This is the star of the show, providing a rich, savory base. You have the flexibility to choose between mild or spicy sausage, depending on your family’s preference. For those cooking for children, mild is often the preferred choice to ensure broad appeal. Sausage packages can vary in size; a 1-pound package is ideal, but if you have a 19-ounce package, feel free to use it all – it will simply result in a slightly meatier, even more satisfying meal. If you’re using Italian sausages that come in casings, remember to remove them before cooking to allow for easy crumbling and browning.

The Magic of Frozen Vegetable Blends

Frozen veggies: The convenience of pre-chopped, frozen vegetables is unmatched. Our absolute favorite blend for this Sausage and Veggie Skillet is one that typically contains red potatoes, crisp bell peppers, sweet corn, tender broccoli, and flavorful carrots. This combination offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures with practically zero effort on your part. While this specific blend is highly recommended, don’t worry if you can’t find it; any similar blend of roasted or mixed frozen vegetables will work wonderfully. Just a quick tip: sometimes, frozen broccoli florets can be quite large, so a quick chop before cooking ensures they are bite-sized and cook evenly alongside the other ingredients.

Finishing Touch: Freshly Grated Parmesan

Parmesan cheese: The final flourish of finely grated Parmesan cheese elevates this dish. Grating it fresh from a block provides a superior flavor and texture that pre-grated varieties simply can’t match. Parmesan is naturally salty, adding a beautiful depth of seasoning, and it melts perfectly into the hot veggies and sausage, creating a creamy, irresistible coating. For that ideal super-fine texture, we highly recommend using a microplane, grating it directly over your individual serving plates for maximum freshness and flavor.

Essential Spice Blend

The carefully balanced mix of dried basil, thyme, oregano, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder is what truly brings this skillet to life. Each spice contributes to a robust, savory, and aromatic profile that perfectly complements the sausage and enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables. Don’t underestimate the power of these dried herbs to create a gourmet flavor with minimal fuss.

Garlic & Kale: Boosters for Flavor and Nutrition

Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best, but for speed, pre-minced or frozen garlic cubes (like Dorot®) are fantastic shortcuts. It adds an essential aromatic depth.
Frozen Kale: This leafy green boosts nutrition and adds a lovely texture. Frozen chopped kale is perfectly convenient and wilts down easily into the skillet.

Effortless Cooking: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing this Sausage and Veggie Skillet is incredibly straightforward, designed for maximum flavor with minimum effort. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:

Step 1: Prep Your Frozen Veggies

Begin by heating both packages of frozen veggies in the microwave for 2 minutes. This initial thaw helps them cook more evenly and quickly in the skillet. While the sausage is browning, the vegetables will continue to thaw. Once thawed slightly, open the packages and take a moment to chop any particularly large broccoli florets or potato pieces into more manageable, bite-sized chunks. This ensures every component cooks at a similar rate and is easy to eat. Set them aside while you prepare the sausage.

Step 2: Brown the Italian Sausage to Perfection

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, sturdy cast-iron pan (or another heavy-bottomed skillet) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground Italian sausage. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks, searing until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. Proper browning is key here, as it develops deep, rich flavors. Season the sausage generously with salt and pepper as it cooks. Once browned, carefully drain any excess grease from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. This residual fat will add flavor to your vegetables.

Step 3: Sauté and Season for Maximum Flavor

With the sausage browned and the pan ready, add your prepared frozen vegetables to the skillet. Cook them for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and begin to tenderize. Next, stir in the frozen kale, the minced garlic, and your carefully measured spice blend (dried basil, thyme, oregano, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder). Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the kale has wilted beautifully. The aroma filling your kitchen will be incredible!

Step 4: The Finishing Flourish

Once everything is perfectly cooked and fragrant, remove the skillet from the heat. This dish is best served immediately, garnished with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The warm cheese will melt slightly, adding a final layer of salty, umami goodness that truly completes the meal.

Smart Shortcuts for Busy Cooks

Life gets busy, and these handy shortcuts are designed to make preparing this Sausage and Veggie Skillet even faster and more efficient, without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.

Pre-Minced Garlic Solutions

While fresh garlic is wonderful, peeling and mincing it can add a few extra minutes to your prep. This is where pre-minced garlic comes in handy! We’re big fans of frozen garlic Dorot® cubes, which can be kept in your freezer and popped directly into the pan when needed. Another excellent alternative is using refrigerated minced garlic, readily available in most grocery stores. Both options provide that essential garlic flavor without the fuss.

Frozen Veggies: The Ultimate Time-Saver

This recipe already champions frozen, pre-chopped produce, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate shortcut for getting a wholesome, veggie-packed meal on the table in record time. By skipping the washing and chopping, you significantly reduce hands-on cooking time, making this an ideal solution for frantic weeknights or when you simply don’t feel like a lot of kitchen work.

Batch Prepping Your Spice Blend

This isn’t a shortcut for the current meal, but it’s a brilliant tip for future meals! When you’re measuring out the dried basil, thyme, oregano, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for this recipe, take a few extra minutes to make 5 or 6 more “packets” of the seasoning blend. Simply measure out the spices into individual snack-sized bags or small airtight containers, label them, and store them with your other spices. The next time you crave this Sausage and Veggie Skillet, your seasoning will be ready to go, cutting down your prep time even further!

Serving Your Delicious Skillet

This Sausage And Veggie Skillet is surprisingly filling and wholesome on its own, but if you’re looking to create a more complete meal or simply want to round it out, here are some fantastic serving suggestions:

Salad Pairings

A fresh, crisp salad offers a wonderful contrast to the rich and savory skillet. For ultimate convenience, grab a pre-made salad kit from your local grocery store – a true time-saver! If you have a little extra time or are feeling ambitious, these homemade salad recipes pair beautifully with the skillet:

Caesar Salad: A classic choice with creamy dressing and crunchy croutons.
Garden Salad: A simple, refreshing mix of your favorite greens and veggies.
Olive Garden Salad: A tangy, vibrant option that adds a lively kick.
Kale Avocado Salad: A hearty and nutritious salad that perfectly complements the skillet’s flavors.

Warm, Crusty Bread

There’s nothing quite like warm, crusty bread to scoop up every last delicious morsel from your skillet. It’s especially wonderful for soaking up the savory juices and melted Parmesan. We highly recommend a loaf of No-Knead Bread on the side – it’s incredibly simple to make, requires minimal ingredients and hardly any hands-on time, making it another “lifesaver” type recipe. Imagine ripping off a piece of warm bread, fresh from the oven, and enjoying it with your skillet meal!

Other Ideas

You can also serve this skillet over a bed of fluffy rice, quinoa, or even a light pasta for a more substantial meal. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor this versatile dish to your preferences.

Recipe Variations & Customization

One of the best things about this Sausage and Veggie Skillet is its adaptability. Feel free to get creative and customize it to your taste or what you have on hand!

Protein Swaps

Chicken or Turkey Sausage: If you prefer a leaner option, ground chicken or turkey sausage can be used in place of pork Italian sausage. Adjust cooking time slightly as needed.
Plant-Based Sausage: For a vegetarian or vegan version, use your favorite plant-based ground sausage alternative.

Veggie Alternatives

Different Frozen Blends: Experiment with other frozen vegetable mixes. A blend with green beans, peas, or cauliflower could also be delicious.
Fresh Additions: Feel free to toss in some fresh bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or zucchini if you have them. Just add them to the pan with the thawed frozen veggies to ensure they cook through.

Flavor Boosters

A Splash of Broth: For extra moisture and flavor, a quarter cup of chicken or vegetable broth can be added with the spices.
A Squeeze of Lemon: A fresh squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can brighten all the flavors.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you like more heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the spices.

Storage and Meal Prep

This Sausage and Veggie Skillet is not only fantastic fresh but also makes for excellent leftovers, perfect for meal prepping!

Storing Leftovers

Allow any leftover skillet contents to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it a perfect option for packing lunches or enjoying another quick dinner later in the week.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, simply warm portions in the microwave until hot, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry, until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions about making this easy and delicious skillet meal:

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Absolutely! If you prefer to use fresh vegetables, you certainly can. You’ll need about 20 ounces (approximately 5-6 cups) of chopped vegetables. Consider a mix of potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and corn. You’ll need to chop them all yourself, which adds to the prep time, and they might require a slightly longer cooking time in the skillet to reach desired tenderness. Pre-cook harder vegetables like potatoes or carrots slightly if needed.

What kind of skillet should I use?

A large (10-12 inch) cast-iron skillet is highly recommended for this recipe. Cast iron retains heat beautifully, ensuring even cooking and a nice sear on the sausage and vegetables. If you don’t have cast iron, any large, heavy-bottomed skillet will work well, just ensure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients without overcrowding.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, you can! Simply swap the Italian ground sausage for your favorite plant-based ground sausage alternative. Many brands offer delicious vegetarian options that brown similarly. The rest of the recipe ingredients are naturally vegetarian.

How spicy is this recipe?

The spice level largely depends on the type of Italian sausage you choose. Using mild Italian sausage will result in a dish with savory, herby flavors but no heat. If you opt for spicy Italian sausage, the dish will have a pleasant kick. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices if you want to control the heat yourself.

More Delicious Italian Sausage Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed this versatile Sausage and Veggie Skillet, you’ll love these other Italian sausage-centric dishes:

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup with tender baby spinach for a comforting bowl.
Sausage Rigatoni with a rich tomato sauce, perfect for pasta lovers.
White Bean and Sausage Soup featuring hearty carrots and savory broth.
Creamy Sausage Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes for an indulgent meal.
Sausage Tortellini Soup with delightful 3-cheese tortellini for a hearty soup.

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★★★★★

5 from 1 vote

Sausage and Veggie Skillet

By Chelsea Lords

This Sausage and Veggie Skillet is a breeze with frozen veggies and an incredible spice blend that packs in tons of flavor!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

Large cast-iron pan

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground Italian sausage mild or spicy, see note 1
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen veggies see note 2
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1-1/2 cups frozen kale
freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Heat both packages of frozen veggies in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let them thaw while browning the sausage. Open the packages, chop any large broccoli or potato pieces into bite-sized chunks, and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large, cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, sear, then crumble and cook through. Season with salt and pepper.
Once the sausage is browned, drain excess grease, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan. Add veggies and cook for 3–5 minutes until heated through. Add frozen kale, seasonings, and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, serve with grated Parmesan, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Any package size close to 1 pound is fine; a 19-ounce package will just make it meatier. Remove casings from Italian sausages before cooking.

Note 2: This is my favorite veggie blend. It includes potatoes, red bell peppers, sweet corn, broccoli, and carrots. Sometimes, the broccoli needs a quick chop to be bite-sized. A similar blend works too!

Note 3: Finely grated Parmesan cheese (off a block) adds a nice final seasoning (Parmesan is salty) and melts nicely into the veggies and sausage. For the perfect texture, I like to use a fine grater and grate it over the serving plates.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

We hope this Sausage and Veggie Skillet becomes a beloved staple in your home! It’s the perfect blend of convenience, nutrition, and incredible flavor, proving that healthy, home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated. Give it a try, and let us know what you think!

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