Can I make this bake ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble everything up to the cheese, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to eat, let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes, add the cheese, and bake as usual.

Can I use fully cooked sausages instead of raw?

Yes, pre-cooked sausage works wonderfully—just reduce the baking time by about 10 minutes. The goal is to let the peppers roast and the cheese bubble to perfection.

What if someone doesn’t like bell peppers?

No problem! Substitute with other favorite veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or onions. The bake is highly forgiving, so use what you love.

How do I keep the cheese from getting rubbery?

Don’t overbake! Remove the dish from the oven as soon as the cheese is melted and golden. Using freshly shredded cheese also improves melt and texture.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers Recipe

Name: Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 10 mild Italian sausages; 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste

Description

This Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers is a quick and delicious one-pan meal, featuring bite-sized mild Italian sausage pieces, colorful bell peppers, and a golden, gooey layer of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and packed with comforting Italian flavors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat

10 mild Italian sausages

Vegetables

1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped

Cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Other

1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the sausages and allowing the cheese to brown perfectly.
Prepare the Sausages: Cut the mild Italian sausages into bite-sized pieces. Place them evenly into a well-greased baking dish to avoid sticking and to promote even cooking.
Add the Peppers: Roughly chop the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into similar bite-sized pieces. Scatter them over the sausage pieces in the baking dish for even distribution of color and flavor.
Season and Toss: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the sausage and pepper mixture. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss everything together so the oil and seasonings coat all the ingredients well.
Add the Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sausage and pepper mixture, making sure to cover as much as possible for a cheesy bake.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly and the sausage is cooked through with an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).

Notes

Use spicy Italian sausages if you prefer more heat.
You can substitute other types of cheese, such as provolone or Monterey Jack.
Leftovers reheat well and make a tasty filling for sandwiches or wraps.
If you want more veggies, add sliced onions or zucchini to the mix.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 410
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 85mg