Description
Italian Sausage and Pepper Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring savory Italian sausage, tender peppers, onions, and a savory tomato sauce. This comforting casserole is easy to make and perfect for a cozy dinner or a weeknight meal. It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite with bold flavors and plenty of delicious toppings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned and crumbled, about 7-8 minutes. Once cooked, remove any excess grease and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the tomatoes and sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes.
- Combine sausage and vegetables: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to baking dish: Transfer the sausage and vegetable mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the casserole.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite sides, like garlic bread or pasta.
Notes
- You can swap out the Italian sausage for chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a lighter version of this dish.
- Feel free to use fresh tomatoes if you prefer, or add a bit of tomato paste for a richer flavor.
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese or heavy cream before baking.
- This casserole can be easily made ahead of time. Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 0g