Thinking up tasty weeknight meals can be a daunting task, especially if you are a full-time professional during the day. That is why I keep several recipes in my arsenal that can be prepared a day in advance, or even quickly before cooking, to lessen the stress of my day. One of my favorite go-to meals requires only one sauté pan, one sheet pan and very little prep time.
To begin, preheat the oven to 450°F. Put a large sauté pan over a medium-high flame and heat 2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. While the pan is heating, use a fork to prick two pounds of hot or sweet Italian sausage links all over. I prefer to use Johnsonville sausage links, but any brand can be used. Place the links in the sauté pan and cook until browned on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer to a plate and slice the links in half. Set aside.
Then, in a large mixing bowl, add 2 pounds of baby red skinned potatoes, cut into ¼ inch slices, 2 thinly sliced red bell peppers, 2 thinly sliced orange bell peppers, 2 thinly sliced yellow bell peppers, 1 thinly sliced red onion and 12 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut. Drizzle one cup of olive oil into the bowl while tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of a 13×18 inch sheet pan. Top with the sausage and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway through. The result is an explosion of flavor prepared in a minimal amount of time.
Sarah K. Young