The Best Italian Sausage And Pepper Casserole Recipe Ever

Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering italian sausage and pepper casserole that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a dish bursting with robust flavors and Mediterranean charm.

Savory sausage mingles with sweet bell peppers, forming a delectable combination that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Weeknight meals rarely get this exciting or satisfying.

Packed with simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this casserole delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Layers of rich seasonings and tender vegetables promise a meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Italian Sausage and Pepper Casserole Full of Flavor

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This Italian sausage and pepper casserole brings pure joy to your dinner table with minimal effort.
• Create One-Pot Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by using a single skillet and baking dish, reducing cleanup and saving precious kitchen time.
• Customize Flavor Explosion: Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, swap cheeses, or add extra vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with robust flavors and melted cheese, this dish appeals to both adults and kids, making mealtime a delightful shared experience.

Ingredients for Italian Sausage and Pepper Casserole

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful protein that adds rich, savory taste to the casserole.

• Bell Peppers, Onions: Provide sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic and pungent notes to enhance the overall taste.
• Diced Tomatoes: Contribute moisture and tangy freshness to the casserole.

• Oregano, Basil: Classic Italian herbs that bring authentic Mediterranean flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Offers a subtle heat and spicy kick to the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Create a melty, golden topping that adds richness and creamy texture.

• Olive Oil: Helps in cooking and adds a smooth, subtle flavor.
• Marinara Sauce (Optional): Provides additional tomato flavor and moisture.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley (for Garnish): Adds a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

How to Prepare Hearty Sausage and Pepper Casserole

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Fire up your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a large skillet and drizzle olive oil.

Toss in the Italian sausage and break it into delicious crumbles. Cook until it’s beautifully browned and fully done.

Drain any extra fat and set aside.

Step 2: Dance the Vegetables

In the same skillet, welcome sliced bell peppers and onions.

Let them sizzle and soften for a few minutes until they’re slightly caramelized. Sprinkle minced garlic and cook for another minute to release its aromatic magic.

Step 3: Marry the Flavors

• Diced tomatoes
• Marinara sauce
• Oregano
• Basil
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

Let everything simmer and get acquainted for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the Casserole

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece and let it rest briefly.

Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top for a burst of color and flavor. Dig in and enjoy!

Tips to Boost Casserole Flavors

• Remove excess fat from the sausage to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Cut bell peppers and onions in uniform sizes for consistent cooking and better texture throughout the casserole.
• Select fresh, high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor and authentic taste in your final dish.
• Spread cheese evenly across the top to create a perfectly melted, golden-brown crust that looks and tastes delicious.
• Modify red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, making the casserole mild or spicy according to your taste.

Variations to Customize Your Casserole

• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo and add kalamata olives for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Swap sausage with plant-based protein crumbles, incorporate roasted zucchini and eggplant for a hearty vegetarian alternative.
• Low-Carb Keto Friendly: Use cauliflower rice as base, select high-fat sausage, reduce tomato quantity, and increase cheese for a ketogenic-friendly adaptation.
• Chicken Pepper Fusion: Substitute Italian sausage with ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken, maintaining the original vegetable and seasoning profile.

Pairing Suggestions to Serve Alongside

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a bold Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the spicy sausage and cuts through the rich, savory flavors of the casserole.
• Create Crusty Bread Companion: Serve a rustic ciabatta or garlic-rubbed focaccia to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and add a satisfying textural contrast to the dish.
• Match with Fresh Green Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole, providing a crisp and tangy counterpoint to the warm, meaty main course.
• Enhance with Herbal Spritzer: Prepare a refreshing basil-infused sparkling water or light white wine spritzer to cleanse the palate between bites and add a bright, herbal note to the meal.

Storage Tips for Leftover Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Wrap the casserole securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Add a splash of water to prevent dryness.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best for this recipe?

Italian sausage is ideal, with both mild and spicy varieties working well. You can use ground sausage or sausage links removed from their casings.

• Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, simply ensure you use gluten-free marinara sauce and check that your seasonings are gluten-free. The recipe naturally contains no gluten-based ingredients.

• How spicy is this casserole?

The spice level depends on using hot or mild Italian sausage and optional red pepper flakes. You can control heat by selecting mild sausage and reducing or eliminating red pepper flakes.

Italian Sausage And Pepper Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian sausage and pepper casserole delivers comfort straight from Mediterranean kitchens with bold, rustic flavors. Savory sausages nestled among roasted peppers create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)

Vegetables:

• 2 bell peppers, sliced (red and green)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

Cheese and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

• Fresh basil (chopped)
• Fresh parsley (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble Italian sausage and cook until thoroughly browned, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove excess fat and transfer sausage to a separate plate.
3. Using the same skillet, sauté sliced bell peppers and onions until they become tender and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until aromatic.
4. Reintroduce the cooked sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Incorporate diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
5. Pour the sausage and vegetable mixture into the prepared casserole dish, ensuring even distribution.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses uniformly across the top of the casserole.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown crust.
8. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

• Perfectly brown sausage by avoiding overcrowding the skillet, allowing meat to develop a golden crust without steaming.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or selecting mild versus hot Italian sausage for personalized heat preference.
• Enhance vegetable texture by cutting peppers and onions in uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization.
• Create a low-carb version by replacing marinara with diced tomatoes and serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg