Sausage and Veggies Skillet – Easy 30 Minute One-Pan Dinner

When dinner needs to be fast, comforting, and healthy-ish, this Sausage and Veggies Skillet – 30 Minute, One-Pan Meal is the answer. It’s become one of my weeknight heroes, and I bet it will be for you too. All the cooking happens in a single cast iron skillet, cleanup is a breeze, and the flavors? Smoky, sweet, savory, and totally satisfying.

I first made this when we came back from a weekend road trip and had very little in the fridge. I had a couple sausages, a zucchini, and a bell pepper, and I just kind of improvised. The result was so good that my husband asked if I could make it again—and that doesn’t happen often with a fridge clean-out meal!

Ingredients for Sausage and Veggies Skillet

This is a forgiving recipe, so feel free to substitute what you have on hand:

• 2 cups corn kernels (about 3 ears cooked)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 oz cooked sausage (Cajun, andouille, or smoked sausage)
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 large zucchini, sliced
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make This One-Pan Sausage and Veggies Skillet

Step 1: Cook the Sausage

1. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Slice the sausage into coins and add to the skillet.
3. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, flip, and cook another 3 minutes.
4. Remove sausage to a large plate. Keep some oil in the skillet and reserve any extra in a bowl.

For Step 2: Cook the Veggies

1. Add diced bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 4 minutes. Remove to the plate with the sausage.
2. Add sliced zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add a bit of reserved oil if needed.
3. Slice cooked corn off the cob (or use thawed frozen corn).

Step 3: Combine and Season

1. Return sausage, bell pepper, zucchini, and corn to the skillet.
2. Mix together, drizzle with a bit of reserved sausage oil.
3. Add chili powder and heat gently on low to combine flavors.
4. Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro.

No salt needed here—most sausages are salty enough on their own. But taste and season if desired!

🪥 Why This Sausage and Veggies Skillet Works for Busy Families

• One pan = less cleanup
• Cooks in under 30 minutes
• Flexible ingredients
• Kid-friendly and husband-approved
• Naturally gluten-free and low carb

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

• Use chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a leaner meal
• Add mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for more veggie variety
• Sub chili powder with smoked paprika or Cajun seasoning for extra depth
• Stir in cooked quinoa or rice to stretch it further

What to Serve with Sausage and Veggies Skillet

Honestly, it stands great on its own, but if you want to round it out:

• Crusty sourdough bread
• Side salad with vinaigrette
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Rice or orzo pilaf

Leftovers & Meal Prep Tips

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave or sauté in a pan until heated through.
• Make ahead: Chop veggies in advance and keep sausage pre-cooked to cut cook time in half.

Sausage and Veggies Skillet FAQs

Can you cook raw sausage with vegetables in the same skillet?
You can, but you’ll need to cook sausage thoroughly first and drain excess fat.

How do I keep sausage from sticking to the skillet?
Preheat your skillet and don’t move the sausage too soon. It releases naturally when it’s seared.

What vegetables go best with sausage?
Zucchini, bell pepper, onions, mushrooms, spinach, and corn are all great pairings.

Can I use frozen corn?
Yes! Just thaw and drain it before adding to the skillet.

What’s the best skillet for this recipe?
Cast iron gives the best browning and flavor, but any heavy-bottomed skillet will work.

Try These Skillet Recipes Next

• Creamy Sausage Crescent Roll Casserole – A cozy, cheesy bake that starts in the skillet
• Quick Zucchini Ground Beef Skillet – Another easy one-pan weeknight idea
• Hearty Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet – Pure comfort food with easy cleanup

Save and Share

If you made this Sausage and Veggies Skillet – 30 Minute, One-Pan Meal, let me know! Tag your photo on Pinterest @RitzyRecipes or leave a comment with your favorite veggie swap!

This one’s perfect for those nights when you need real food fast, but still want it to taste like you tried.

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