Print

Easy 30-Minute Fall Sausage Apple Skillet

30-minute fall sausage apple skillet - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy one-pan fall dinner featuring savory Italian sausage and sweet caramelized apples, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want cozy seasonal flavors without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground Italian sausage (mild or sweet)
  • 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional garnish: Fresh parsley or additional sage leaves

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients. Dice the onion and apples into roughly ½-inch cubes. Mince the garlic. Chop the fresh sage if using.
  2. Heat the skillet. Place your large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Let it heat for about 30 seconds until it shimmers.
  3. Cook the sausage. Add the ground Italian sausage to the hot skillet. Use your wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a nice brown crust on one side. Then stir and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked through and nicely browned.
  4. Remove the sausage. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked sausage to a plate or bowl, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
  5. Sauté the onions. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the rendered fat. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.
  6. Add the apples and garlic. Stir in the diced apples and minced garlic. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring every minute or so. The apples should soften and start to caramelize around the edges.
  7. Add the sage and seasonings. Sprinkle the chopped sage, salt, and pepper over the apple-onion mixture. Stir to combine and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  8. Return the sausage to the pan. Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet. Stir everything together gently, making sure the sausage is evenly distributed among the apples and onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  9. Taste and adjust. Give it a taste. Need more salt? Add a pinch. Want a little heat? Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes.
  10. Serve immediately. Transfer to a serving platter or straight from the skillet to plates. Garnish with fresh parsley or a few extra sage leaves if desired.

Notes

Don’t rush the browning of the sausage for maximum flavor. Choose apples that hold their shape like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Use the rendered fat from the sausage to cook the onions and apples for added depth. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall sausage apple skillet, one-pan dinner, quick weeknight meal, Italian sausage recipe, apple and sausage skillet, easy fall dinner, 30-minute meal

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-30-minute-fall-sausage-apple-skillet/