Can I use chicken or turkey sausage instead of pork sausage?

Absolutely. Both chicken and turkey sausages work wonderfully and lighten up the bake a touch. Just pick a variety that’s seasoned to your liking.

Can I prep this dish in advance?

Yes—you can slice the sausage and peppers ahead of time, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake. Hold off on adding the cheese until just before baking for the best melt.

What if I only have one color of bell pepper?

No problem! Any combination of bell peppers will work, but using multiple colors adds visual appeal and a slightly broader range of sweetness.

How do I know when the sausages are fully cooked?

Look for the cheese to be browned and bubbly, and check that the sausages are no longer pink in the center. If needed, cut one piece open to check for doneness.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers Recipe

Description

This Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers is a quick and hearty main-course dish, perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy mild Italian sausages are baked with colorful bell peppers and topped with a delicious blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for an irresistibly cheesy experience. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, it delivers robust flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meats

10 Mild Italian sausages

Vegetables

1 Red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 Green bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 Yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped

Dairy

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Other

1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) to ensure it is fully preheated before baking for even cooking.
Prepare the Sausages: Cut the mild Italian sausages into bite-sized pieces and place them evenly into a well-greased baking dish, ensuring they are spread out for uniform baking.
Add the Peppers: Roughly chop the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Scatter them over the sausages in the baking dish, creating a colorful base for your bake.
Season and Toss: Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the sausage and pepper mixture. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste, then toss everything gently to ensure the oil and seasonings coat all ingredients well.
Add the Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle 1 cup each of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top of the sausage and peppers mixture to create a rich, cheesy layer.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and browned and the sausage is fully cooked through.

Notes

You can substitute spicy Italian sausage for a hotter version.
Feel free to use different cheese blends for flavor variation.
Leftovers reheat well and make a great next-day lunch.
Serve with crusty bread or over pasta for a heartier meal.
Make sure sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 410
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 960mg
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 75mg