Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers
A quick and hearty Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers featuring juicy Italian sausage, sweet and slightly charred bell peppers, and a generous layer of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This easy and flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a comforting, cheesy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Sausage
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, pre-cooked or removed from casings)
Vegetables
- 1 each red bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 each yellow bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 each green bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the Sausage and Vegetables: Remove the sausage from casings if necessary, then crumble it into a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Meanwhile, chop the bell peppers and onion into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Peppers, Onions, and Garlic: In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and peppers, cooking until softened and slightly caramelized, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last minute so it doesn’t burn but becomes fragrant.
- Combine Sausage and Vegetables: Mix the cooked sausage into the pan with the sautéed peppers and onions. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste, stirring well to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the sausage and pepper mixture into a baking dish. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then add a light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Until Cheesy and Bubbling: Place the dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh Italian sausage for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when sautéing to allow peppers and onions to caramelize properly.
- Choose freshly shredded mozzarella cheese for better melting compared to pre-shredded.
- Adjust heat by balancing spicy sausage with sweet peppers or adding additional chili flakes.
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to help the cheese set and ease serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Italian sausage bake, cheesy sausage bake, sausage and peppers, easy weeknight dinner, Italian comfort food, gluten free dinner