Sausage & Peppers with Zucchini Noodles

I think I’ve probably slept for 12 hours over the last day.

I don’t know why I’ve been so tired. Maybe all the stress from last week? I was supposed to do a million things when I woke up this morning, but instead took a nap. Right after I woke up. Makes sense, right?

I have to venture out in the cold and sleet (it is April, isn’t it? What is this winter weather??) to go to the grocery store later, and I absolutely am not looking forward to it. Not one bit. Pray for me.

My low-carb, no-carb diet continues. Pasta and I divorced roughly one month ago. I’m not going to try and convince you or myself that it’s been easy. Nope. It’s been so hard.

Zucchini noodles help fill the void. Are they as good as pasta? Of course not. But they do make me forgot about my favorite starch for a brief, fleeting moment. I love zucchini noodles mainly in thick, rich tomato sauces. Spaghetti with zucchini noodles, basil tomato sauce with zucchini noodle—you get the picture.

That’s why when I found this recipe I knew it was meant to be. Kismet! Italian (chicken) sausage and sweet orange and yellow bell peppers are life. Those two things are insanely wonderful together. Put on top of crispy raw zucchini noodles (that’s the way I like my zoodles, uncooked is best) and you’ve got a pretty dreamy dinner.

I found this jar of homemade tomato sauce at the farmer’s market and it was so good. Savory, thick, and everything I like in a good Italian marinara. You can use your own jarred favorite, or make your own. Whatever floats your boat!

Sausage & Peppers with Zucchini Noodles

• Servings: 4-6
• Time: 20 mins
• Difficulty: Easy
• Print

Savory Italian sausage with bell peppers in a hearty tomato sauce served over zucchini noodles.

Ingredients

• 3 zucchini, spiralized into “noodles”
• 1 TBS. olive oil
• 1 (20 oz) jar tomato sauce
• 2-3 bell peppers, a mix of yellow and orange
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 16 oz. Italian chicken sausage, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper and saute until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add marinara sauce to skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve sauce on top of raw zucchini noodles.

Step-By-Step Instructions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.

Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper and saute until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add marinara sauce to skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve sauce on top of raw zucchini noodles.