One Pan Sausage Green Beans

The aroma of sizzling sausage mingling with fresh green beans and garlic creates an irresistible invitation to dinner. This One Pan Sausage Green Beans dish combines savory protein, vibrant vegetables, and bold seasonings in a single skillet for maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. The natural flavors meld together beautifully as everything cooks to perfection in just one pan. You’ll learn how to create this delicious, family-friendly dinner with simple ingredients and easy techniques that deliver restaurant-quality results.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This One Pan Sausage Green Beans recipe will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation for several compelling reasons. First, the convenience factor is unbeatable—everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your evening. The contrast between the crispy, caramelized sausage and the tender-crisp green beans creates a delightful textural experience in every bite.

The flavor profile offers the perfect balance—savory sausage provides rich, hearty notes while the green beans add freshness and a slight sweetness. Garlic and red pepper flakes bring warmth and depth that elevates this simple dish to something truly crave-worthy.

This skillet dinner is also incredibly versatile, working equally well as a standalone meal or paired with rice or crusty bread. It’s naturally low-carb while still being filling and satisfying. The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you need a quick sausage and vegetable dinner but don’t want to sacrifice flavor or nutrition.

Ingredients

For this One Pan Sausage Green Beans recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage links, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds (sweet or hot, depending on preference)
• 1 1/2 pounds (680g) fresh green beans, trimmed and washed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

The Italian sausage provides the foundation of flavor for this dish—choose high-quality sausage with visible herbs and spices for the best results. Fresh green beans are essential for the perfect texture; look for beans that are bright in color and snap easily when bent.

Pro Tips

Proper Sausage Browning: For maximum flavor development in your One Pan Sausage Green Beans, don’t rush the sausage browning process. Cook the sausage slices in a single layer without overcrowding the pan, working in batches if necessary. This ensures each piece develops a deep caramelization that creates rich, complex flavors and appealing texture. This initial browning stage typically takes 5-7 minutes but is worth the patience.

Blanching Green Beans: For perfect tender-crisp green beans that maintain their bright color, consider blanching them before adding to the pan. Quickly immerse them in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. This step isn’t strictly necessary but ensures your beans cook evenly and retain their vibrant green color throughout the cooking process.

Deglaze for Depth: After cooking the sausage and before adding the green beans, deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar or chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. These caramelized bits contain concentrated flavor that will distribute throughout the entire dish, creating a more cohesive and flavorful one-pan meal.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring to develop a golden-brown crust. Flip the sausage pieces and brown the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pan.

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook until they begin to soften and turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 3: Add the trimmed green beans to the skillet and toss to coat with the oil and aromatics. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth or water and immediately cover the skillet with a lid. Allow the beans to steam for about 5 minutes until they’re bright green and beginning to soften but still have some crispness.

Step 4: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir to combine. Cook uncovered for another 3-4 minutes, allowing some of the liquid to evaporate and the beans to continue cooking. The beans should be tender-crisp when done.

Step 5: Return the browned sausage to the skillet and toss everything together, allowing the sausage to reheat and the flavors to meld for about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes according to your preference.

Step 6: Remove your One Pan Sausage Green Beans from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving. The dish can be served directly from the skillet for a rustic presentation that showcases its one-pan appeal.

Variations

Mediterranean Style: Transform your One Pan Sausage Green Beans with Mediterranean flavors by using chicken sausage and adding 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, and 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese in the final cooking stage. Substitute the Italian seasoning with 1 teaspoon dried oregano and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil. This variation creates a bright, tangy profile that pairs beautifully with the savory sausage.

Asian-Inspired Version: Create an entirely different flavor profile by using sliced chicken or pork sausage and adding 1 tablespoon grated ginger along with the garlic. Replace the balsamic vinegar with 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon honey. In the last minute of cooking, add 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds instead of parsley. This variation works wonderfully served over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version, substitute the sausage with 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms (cremini or portobello work well) and add 1 cup diced red bell pepper for extra color and nutrition. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and consider adding 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika to impart some of the smoky flavor typically provided by the sausage.

Storage and Serving

Your One Pan Sausage Green Beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results when reheating, warm the dish in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make the green beans soggy and the sausage rubbery.

For serving, this versatile dish works beautifully alongside creamy mashed potatoes, which provide the perfect canvas for soaking up the flavorful sauce. For a lighter option, serve over cauliflower rice or with a crusty whole grain bread for dipping. To transform this into a heartier meal, consider serving it over buttered egg noodles or polenta, allowing the sauce to coat each bite.

For a complete dinner experience, pair your sausage and green beans with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette and a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Pinot Noir. The acidity in these wines complements the savory sausage and cuts through the richness of the dish.

FAQs

Can I use frozen green beans instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute frozen green beans, but they won’t have quite the same texture. If using frozen, reduce the steaming time to 3 minutes and skip the blanching step. Thaw and drain the beans before adding them to the skillet to prevent excess water.

What type of sausage works best for this recipe?
Italian sausage (either sweet or hot) provides the best flavor, but you can use any type of pre-cooked or raw sausage. Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or chicken sausage all work well. If using pre-cooked sausage, you’ll only need to brown it for about 2 minutes per side.

How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the heat level, add more red pepper flakes (up to 1 teaspoon), include 1 diced jalapeño when cooking the onions, or choose a spicy Italian sausage or chorizo as your protein.

Is this recipe low-carb or keto-friendly?
Yes, One Pan Sausage Green Beans is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly. The dish contains approximately 8-10g of carbohydrates per serving, making it suitable for most low-carb eating plans.

Can I prepare any components of this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can trim and blanch the green beans up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. You can also slice the sausage and onions ahead of time. This prep work will allow you to assemble the final dish in under 15 minutes when you’re ready to cook.

Conclusion

This One Pan Sausage Green Beans is comfort food at its finest — simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that rescues weeknight dinners with its perfect balance of convenience and deliciousness. The beautiful marriage of savory sausage and fresh vegetables demonstrates that spectacular meals don’t require complicated techniques or endless ingredients—just thoughtful preparation and quality components. Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal prepping for the week ahead, this versatile skillet dinner delivers restaurant-worthy results with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

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