Description
Hearty Italian sausage and pepper casserole brings rustic Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Savory sausages nestled with sweet peppers and herbs create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring optimal cooking temperature for the casserole.
- Brown Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and crispy edges form.
- Introduce diced onions, sliced bell peppers, and minced garlic to the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and gently incorporate all ingredients to create a harmonious mixture.
- Grease a casserole dish and carefully transfer the sausage and vegetable medley, spreading evenly across the bottom.
- Generously distribute shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, ensuring complete coverage of the mixture.
- Place casserole in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Swap out regular sausage for turkey or chicken sausage to create a leaner, lower-fat version of this hearty dish.
- Enhance the flavor profile by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano during the vegetable cooking stage for a more aromatic experience.
- Make this casserole gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients, especially the sausage, are certified gluten-free and using a gluten-free cheese option.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to increase fiber and vitamin content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg