Description
This Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring savory Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this bake delivers rich, bold flavors with simple preparation, making it a versatile and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, casing removed)
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheeses
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the bell peppers and onion into thin strips and mince the garlic cloves. Remove the casing from the Italian sausage to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, and brown thoroughly until cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and bell peppers and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Add the minced garlic during the last minute to release its flavor without burning.
- Combine and Season: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined and fragrant.
- Layer and Bake: Transfer the sausage and pepper mixture into a baking dish. Evenly top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to settle and the cheese to firm slightly.
Notes
- Brown the sausage well: Proper browning enhances depth of flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook the peppers: Aim for tender-crisp to maintain color and mouthfeel.
- Use freshly grated cheese: Melts better and results in superior flavor compared to pre-shredded.
- Let it rest briefly: Allows the bake to set up, making it easier to serve.
- Mix cheeses for complexity: Combining mozzarella with Parmesan or fontina enhances flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Italian sausage bake, cheesy sausage bake, sausage and peppers, Italian sausage recipe, weeknight dinner, baked sausage dish, comfort food