Italian Sausage & Pepper Casserole Recipe
This Italian Sausage & Pepper Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal featuring browned Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers and onions, simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce, then baked with a melted mozzarella topping. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, it combines rich Italian flavors with a satisfying cheesy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Vegetables
- 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Base
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
Seasonings & Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until it browns evenly, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure thorough cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the sliced bell peppers, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté until the vegetables become tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Transfer to Casserole: Pour the sausage and vegetable mixture into a casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool a few minutes before serving to let the flavors settle and to avoid burning yourself.
Notes
- You can use spicy or mild Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute turkey sausage or lean sausage varieties.
- Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor.
- If you like a stronger cheese flavor, mix mozzarella with Parmesan or provolone cheese.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta for a more filling meal.
Keywords: Italian sausage casserole, pepper casserole, baked Italian sausage, sausage and peppers, Italian comfort food