Easy Skillet Sausage and Zucchini (20-Min Meal)

We all have those nights. It’s 6 PM, you’re tired, and the last thing you want to do is use every pot and pan in the kitchen. You need a fast, flavorful, and healthy-ish dinner, now. What if I told you that you could have a vibrant, protein-packed, and delicious one-pan meal on the table in about 20 minutes?

Meet your new weeknight hero: this Skillet Sausage and Zucchini recipe. It’s a colorful, savory dish that combines smoky sausage, tender-crisp vegetables, and a perfect blend of Italian-inspired herbs. This is one of those “throw it all in a pan” dinners that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.

Skillet Sausage and Zucchini Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and flexibility. Using a good quality, pre-cooked sausage is the key to making this dish so fast.

this now & bake later ❤️

Recipe Timing

This recipe is built for speed. The most “work” you’ll do is chopping the vegetables, which can easily be done ahead of time.

• Prep time: 10 minutes (for chopping)
• Cook time: 10-12 minutes
• Total time: About 20-22 minutes (Faster than ordering and waiting for takeout!)

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Heat 1 tablespoon of your olive or avocado oil in a large skillet (a 12-inch cast iron or non-stick is perfect) over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add your sliced cooked sausage. Sauté, flipping the slices often, for 3-4 minutes. You’re looking for a nice, golden-brown sear on both sides. This deepens the flavor! Once browned, use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables and Seasonings

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to the same skillet. (Don’t wipe it out! Those browned sausage bits are pure flavor.) Add the cubed zucchini, chopped onion, and bell pepper.

Now, sprinkle all your dry seasonings directly over the vegetables: the dried oregano, garlic powder, dried basil, onion powder, pepper, and salt. Stir well to coat every piece. Let the vegetables cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes. You want them to become tender-crisp—not mushy!

Step 3: Combine, Heat, and Serve

Add the browned sausage back into the skillet with the vegetables. Add the 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic. Stir everything together for about 30-60 seconds, just until that fresh garlic becomes incredibly fragrant.

• Tip: Adding fresh garlic at the very end, rather than the beginning, prevents it from burning (which makes it bitter) and gives the whole dish a bright, zesty aroma.

Cover the skillet with a lid and let everything steam together for 1-2 minutes. This “melds” all the flavors perfectly. Give it a final taste and add any additional salt or pepper if you think it needs it. Garnish with fresh basil (if using) and serve immediately!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Please note this is an estimation per serving (assuming 4 servings) and will vary based on the type of sausage you use.

• Calories: 360 kcal
• Protein: 16 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g (Sugar: 6 g)
• Fat: 29 g (Saturated: 10 g)
• Fiber: 3 g

This dish is naturally low-carb, keto-friendly, and packed with protein and nutrients from the vegetables.

Healthier Alternatives

This recipe is already quite healthy, but you can easily customize it to fit your dietary needs.

• Leaner Protein: Swap the traditional smoked sausage for a lean chicken or turkey sausage. You could even use ground chicken or turkey; just cook it through in Step 1.
• Low-Carb/Keto: This dish is already perfect for a low-carb or keto diet! Just ensure you use a sausage with zero added sugars or fillers.
• Add More Greens: Want to bulk it up? Stir in a few large handfuls of fresh spinach or kale at the very end (with the garlic) and let it wilt.
• Spicy Kick: Add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the other dried seasonings for a bit of heat.

Serving Suggestions

This skillet is a fantastic all-in-one meal! We love serving it just as it is in a bowl. But if you want to stretch it or serve it with a side, here are some delicious ideas:

• With Grains: Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa. The grains will soak up the delicious savory flavors.
• With Pasta: Toss it with cooked penne, orzo, or rotini for a hearty, Italian-style main course.
• With Bread: Serve with a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up any of the delicious pan juices.
• Topping: A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese is never a bad idea!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This simple recipe is hard to mess up, but these tips will guarantee perfection.

• Mushy Zucchini: This is the #1 mistake. Zucchini cooks fast and holds a lot of water. Solution: Cook it on medium-high heat for just 5-7 minutes before adding the sausage back. You want it tender-crisp (still with a slight bite), not soft and watery.
• Crowding the Pan: If you use a skillet that’s too small, your vegetables will steam instead of sauté. Solution: Use a large 12-inch skillet (or a cast-iron pan). Make sure the vegetables are in a relatively even layer so they can make contact with the hot surface.
• Skipping the Sausage Sear: Just tossing the (already cooked) sausage in with the veggies is a missed opportunity. Solution: Searing the sausage first, as described in Step 1, creates a flavorful crust (the Maillard reaction) and leaves delicious browned bits in the pan that flavor the rest of the dish.

Storing Tips

• To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To Reheat: The best way is in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave it, but the zucchini will be softer.
• Meal Prep: This is a fantastic meal prep recipe. You can chop all the vegetables and slice the sausage ahead of time. Store them in separate containers in the fridge, and when you’re ready to cook, the whole process will take about 10 minutes.

Conclusion

This Skillet Sausage and Zucchini recipe is the perfect, stress-free answer to the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma. It’s fast, flavorful, customizable, and leaves you with minimal cleanup. It’s a healthy dish that the whole family will love, and it’s versatile enough to be served in so many different ways.

Try it out this week and let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! We’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more easy, delicious recipes!

FAQs: Skillet Sausage and Zucchini

Q1. What kind of sausage is best for this skillet?

Any pre-cooked sausage works beautifully! A smoked kielbasa (pork or beef) adds a wonderful smoky flavor. A chicken and apple sausage adds a hint of sweetness. A spicy Italian sausage (pre-cooked) would also be delicious. Use what you love!

Q2. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Absolutely! If using fresh herbs, you’ll want to use about 1 tablespoon of each (basil and oregano) instead of ½ teaspoon. Add them at the very end with the fresh garlic, as their flavor is more delicate.

Q3. Can I use different vegetables?

Yes! This recipe is incredibly versatile. Don’t have a bell pepper? Use broccoli florets. Have a yellow squash? Throw it in with the zucchini. Sliced mushrooms or cherry tomatoes (added at the end) are also fantastic additions.

Easy Skillet Sausage and Zucchini (20-Min Meal)

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 Servings 1x

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Description

This Skillet Sausage and Zucchini recipe is your new weeknight hero. It’s a colorful, savory dish that combines smoky sausage, tender-crisp vegetables, and a perfect blend of Italian-inspired herbs. This is one of those “throw it all in a pan” dinners that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did, all in about 20 minutes!

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Ingredients

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• 4 links Fully Cooked Sausages (like Kielbasa or Chicken Apple), sliced into 1/4-inch circles
• 2 Medium Zucchini, cubed into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 Medium Onion (Yellow or Red), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 Bell Pepper (Any color), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 2 1/2 tablespoons Olive or Avocado Oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon Freshly Minced Garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Optional: Fresh Basil (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, flipping often, until nicely browned on both sides. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sausage to a plate.

2. Sauté Vegetables & Seasonings: Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to the same skillet. Add the cubed zucchini, chopped onion, and bell pepper. Sprinkle the dried oregano, garlic powder, basil, onion powder, pepper, and salt over the vegetables. Stir well. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until tender-crisp.

3. Combine and Serve: Add the browned sausage back into the skillet. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Cover the skillet, let everything steam together for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil (if using) and serve immediately.

Notes

• Flavor Base: Don’t wipe out the pan after browning the sausage! Those browned bits are pure flavor that the vegetables will soak up.
• Tender-Crisp: Cook the vegetables until they are tender-crisp, not mushy, for the best texture.
• Fresh Garlic Last: Adding the fresh minced garlic at the very end, rather than the beginning, prevents it from burning (which makes it bitter) and gives the whole dish a bright, zesty aroma.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Main Course, Dinner, One-Pan Meal
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American / Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg