Last Updated on August 24, 2025 by Lisa Keys

This oven-baked sausage and peppers recipe delivers an old-world, family-style meal. With only four ingredients, we aim for high quality. Choose flavorful Italian sausage, open a can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes, and pick the freshest bell peppers and sweet onions you can find. Pile the sausage, peppers, and onions onto a crusty Italian roll for a fantastic sandwich, or serve them over pasta for an easy weeknight dinner.

Before we get to this pound of sausage, I want to share an ounce of prevention. If you'd rather skip my ramblings, use the "jump to recipe" button above to get right to making this sausage and peppers recipe.

My son covered in dirt cooking his food.

Sleep Deprivation

For the past two years, my mission has been tied to the Naval Safety Center and one issue in particular: sleep deprivation. It's not that the people in charge don't know the risks. Science has made that abundantly clear. What's missing is the will to put common-sense safeguards into practice. And for me, this mission isn't abstract. It's deeply personal.

I often wonder how William would feel about my determination to push for change. He was fiercely independent, the kind of young man who never needed his mother to "fix" anything. He'd probably roll his eyes and tell me to let it go. But losing him has shown me that finding a cause, one that honors his life while protecting others, gives meaning to tragedy. If even one family can be spared from this grief, then maybe change is possible. Isn't an ounce of prevention worth a pound of grief?

Nothing but the facts

The military has rules for almost everything: how to dress, where to go, what to eat, what to do. Yet, when it comes to protecting service members from the very real and well-documented dangers of sleep deprivation, the system fails them. Why not add rules that protect those who, in a moment of exhaustion, cannot protect themselves?

We know the facts. Cognitive deficits from sleep loss kick in early and linger long after. Studies show motor vehicle fatalities are higher among service members returning from deployment. Our government spends millions on safety programs designed to prevent loss. There are programs that require sailors and Marines to sit through training on everything from personal protective equipment to travel risk planning. And yet, in the face of all this education, the assumption seems to be that they'll manage fatigue on their own.

But I know better. My family knows better. And too many other families have learned this painful lesson as well. This is why I speak out, why I press forward, why I ask for change in William's name. Because prevention isn't complicated and the cost of inaction is far too high.

An ounce of prevention may have prevented this road side memorial wreath where my son was killed. — William's roadside memorial

The Facts On Sleep Deprivation

Oops-we forgot about the facts on sleep deprivation.

the cognitive impairment
the poor reaction time
the slowing of the reflexes
the impairment which is like being drunk

Don't they get it? All the education in the world doesn't matter when one can't think for oneself. It's common sense that a commander would never turn over the car keys to a sailor who had been drinking. So, why doesn't the same rule apply for those who have been sleep deprived due to a course of special training? It's an easy rule: Go to sleep. No liberty for 48 hours. I'll keep you posted when I hear back from Naval Safety Command on my latest suggestion.

How to make oven baked sausage and peppers

Like my Mexican inspired sausage and peppers, this sausage and peppers recipe is so easy to throw together. If you are serving a crowd at a party or potluck supper then I suggest slicing the sausage links into smaller pieces before roasting.

First, roast the sausage links for 20 minutes, or until they brown well.
Then, layer the peppers and onions over the sausage and roast for another 10 minutes.

Next, pour the crushed tomatoes on top, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Finally, remove the foil , give it a stir and continue baking about 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced.

What to serve with sausage and peppers

Make a sandwich. So delicious on a crusty Italian roll.
Serve on top of some cheesy polenta.
Perfect with your favorite pasta.
The best wines to pair are a red like Chianti or something more fruity like Lambrusco. A white like Pinot Grigio also pairs well.