Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers
There’s something truly magical about cooking with foil packets, and that’s why I absolutely adore Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers. Imagine a crispy night by the grill, the air filled with the mouthwatering aroma of sweet and spicy Italian sausage mingling with vibrant bell peppers and onions. This dish has become a staple in my household, especially during the crisp fall evenings when we crave something hearty yet effortless. Each packet feels like a little gift, sealed tight to keep all the flavors locked in, just waiting to be opened and enjoyed.
One of my favorite memories is hosting a casual get-together with friends in the backyard. Everyone gathered around the grill, laughing and sharing stories while I prepared these delicious packets. As the foil wrapped meals cooked, the anticipation built; it was impossible to resist peeking inside to see the bubbling cheese melting over the sausage. When the time finally came to reveal them, the joy on everyone’s faces as they dug in was worth every minute spent preparing this dish.
The beauty of Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers is in its simplicity. It requires minimal prep time and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or spices. Whether it’s a weeknight meal or a weekend BBQ, this recipe is versatile enough to please a crowd or just your family. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, and you’ve got yourself a perfect meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Recipe Snapshot
45 mins
5 mins
40 mins
Medium
365 kcal
22 g
Paleo, Gluten-Free, Low FODMAP
27 g
Chef’s Knife
The Magic of This Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers
Convenience at Its Best
One of the things I love about Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers is just how easy it is to prepare. With everything neatly packed into individual packets, cleanup is a breeze. You can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious food with loved ones.
Flavor Explosion
The combination of sweet and spicy sausage with the sautéed onions and bell peppers creates a flavor explosion that is both comforting and satisfying. The melting mozzarella cheese ties it all together, making every bite memorable.
Versatility
This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap out vegetables or even add different types of cheese. Love some heat? Toss in some jalapeños! Prefer a milder flavor? Just stick with the classic ingredients. The possibilities are endless!
Great for Gatherings
Whether it’s a family dinner or a friendly gathering, these foil packets are sure to impress. Guests can personalize their packets with their favorite ingredients, making it a fun and interactive meal.
Perfect for Meal Prep
The Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers can also be prepped ahead of time. Just assemble the packets and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. This is my go-to strategy for busy weeknights when I need a quick meal.
Grilling Fun
Cooking over the grill adds a delicious smoky flavor that you just can’t replicate in the oven. The grill also allows for a beautiful char on the veggies, enhancing their sweetness and overall flavor.
Essential Ingredients for Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers
The ingredients for Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers are simple yet packed with flavor. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a satisfying dish. The star players here are the Italian sausage, which provides a flavorful base, and the fresh vegetables, adding crunch and color. Together, they create a harmony of tastes that will leave you craving more.
- Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil: Essential for keeping everything perfectly sealed while cooking, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Sweet or Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Links: The heart of the dish, these sausages bring a burst of flavor, whether you choose sweet or spicy.
- Medium Onions: Sliced into strips, they add sweetness and depth to the dish, caramelizing beautifully while cooking.
- Red Bell Peppers: Their vibrant color and crisp texture bring freshness and a slight sweetness, complementing the sausage perfectly.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A drizzle of this enhances the flavors and helps in cooking the vegetables until tender.
- Marinara Sauce: Adds a tangy sauce that brings everything together, making each bite irresistible.
- Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella: The finishing touch that melts into gooey goodness, elevating the dish to a whole new level.
- Kosher Salt: Helps to enhance the flavors of all the ingredients.
- Fresh Black Pepper: A sprinkle adds just the right amount of spice.
- Crusty Bread: Optional but highly recommended for serving; perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers Instructions
Ready to dive into making Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers? The process is as enjoyable as the meal itself. Let’s get started!
- Preheat your grill on high heat on one half and medium-low on the other. This will ensure a perfect cook for everything.
- In a large bowl, combine the onions, bell peppers, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss them together until the vegetables are nicely coated and evenly mixed.
- Tear off 4 sheets of Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, each measuring about 12 x 18 inches. Lay them flat and ready for filling.
- Divide the vegetable mixture evenly among the foil sheets, placing them with the dull side facing up. Top each mound of veggies with about 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce. This will add moisture and flavor as they cook.
- Bring up the long sides of the foil to meet over the food. This creates a pocket for steam. Make sure to double fold the ends to keep everything securely inside.
- Double fold the two short ends as well, sealing the packets tightly. The idea is to prevent any steam from escaping during cooking.
- Place the foil packets on the grill on the side with medium-low heat. Cook until the vegetables become tender, which takes about 25 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
- Once the veggies are done, set them aside and add the sausage links to the medium-low side of the grill. You can now turn off the high side to save some energy.
- Grill the sausage for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, turning often until they are cooked through in the center. This ensures they stay juicy and flavorful.
- Once cooked, remove the sausage from the grill and let them rest for a minute on a cutting board. After resting, slice the sausages into bite-sized pieces.
- Open the foil packets carefully to avoid steam burns, and add the sliced sausage to each packet. Top each with about 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese and leave them open for now.
- Cover the grill and let the cheese melt for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbly and gooey.
- Serve the packets straight from the grill, or let everyone dig in with some crusty bread for a complete meal!
Things Worth Knowing
- Watch for Browning: Keep an eye on the vegetables as they cook; you want them tender but not burnt. If they start to brown too much, lower the heat.
- Foil Quality Matters: Using quality non-stick foil makes a big difference in achieving a clean release and prevents sticking, ensuring an easy cleanup.
- Don’t Overpack: Make sure not to overpack the foil with too much food. This will allow for proper cooking and even heat distribution.
- Resting Time: Let the sausages rest after grilling. This will help retain their juices, making them more flavorful when added to the foil packets.
Make It Your Own
Customize your Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers with these fun tips!
- Storage: Leftovers can easily be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Freezing: These packets can be frozen before cooking. Just wrap them tightly and store. Cook straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Pairing: This dish goes well with a fresh green salad or garlic bread to complement the flavors.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to mix in other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or even corn for added flavor and texture.
- Cheese Choices: Switch up the cheese! Try using cheddar or a spicy pepper jack for a flavor twist.
- Spice It Up: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the vegetable mix for a spicy kick.
- Different Sausages: Experiment with different types of sausage, such as turkey sausage or veggie sausage, to accommodate dietary preferences.
Perfect Pairings for Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers
This dish is not just delicious on its own but can be served with various sides or occasions. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal experience:
- Fresh Salad: A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette is perfect to balance the richness of the cheesy sausage.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with warm, buttery garlic bread for dipping into the flavorful marinara sauce.
- Picnic Option: These packets are great for outdoor gatherings. Just take them along to a picnic and cook on a portable grill.
- Game Day Treat: Perfect for game day parties; just prepare several packets for guests to enjoy.
- Seasonal Veggies: Pair with seasonal vegetables for an autumn-inspired meal that celebrates the harvest.
- Comfort Food Nights: This dish is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings, served alongside a glass of your favorite beverage.
- Leftover Ideas: Use leftover sausage and vegetables in a breakfast scramble or as a tasty filling for wraps.
FAQ
Conclusion
Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers brings together the heartiness of sausage and vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables in a simple and enjoyable way. It’s perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners at home. I encourage you to try making this dish; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is and how much everyone will love it!
Foil Packet Cheesy Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your grill on high heat on one half and medium-low on the other. This will ensure a perfect cook for everything.
- In a large bowl, combine the onions, bell peppers, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss them together until the vegetables are nicely coated and evenly mixed.
- Tear off 4 sheets of Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, each measuring about 12 x 18 inches. Lay them flat and ready for filling.
- Divide the vegetable mixture evenly among the foil sheets, placing them with the dull side facing up. Top each mound of veggies with about 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce. This will add moisture and flavor as they cook.
- Bring up the long sides of the foil to meet over the food. This creates a pocket for steam. Make sure to double fold the ends to keep everything securely inside.
- Double fold the two short ends as well, sealing the packets tightly. The idea is to prevent any steam from escaping during cooking.
- Place the foil packets on the grill on the side with medium-low heat. Cook until the vegetables become tender, which takes about 25 minutes. You’ll know they are ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
- Once the veggies are done, set them aside and add the sausage links to the medium-low side of the grill. You can now turn off the high side to save some energy.
- Grill the sausage for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, turning often until they are cooked through in the center. This ensures they stay juicy and flavorful.
- Once cooked, remove the sausage from the grill and let them rest for a minute on a cutting board. After resting, slice the sausages into bite-sized pieces.
- Open the foil packets carefully to avoid steam burns, and add the sliced sausage to each packet. Top each with about 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese and leave them open for now.
- Cover the grill and let the cheese melt for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbly and gooey.
- Serve the packets straight from the grill, or let everyone dig in with some crusty bread for a complete meal!
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers can easily be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Freezing: These packets can be frozen before cooking. Just wrap them tightly and store. Cook straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Pairing: This dish goes well with a fresh green salad or garlic bread to complement the flavors.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to mix in other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or even corn for added flavor and texture.
- Cheese Choices: Switch up the cheese! Try using cheddar or a spicy pepper jack for a flavor twist.
