Can I use pre-cooked sausages?

Absolutely! Pre-cooked Italian sausages work well here, and you can reduce the baking time by about 10 minutes, just enough to heat everything through and brown the cheese.

What if I only have one color of bell pepper?

That’s totally fine. Use whatever you have. The mix of colors is pretty, but the dish is just as tasty (and still packed with flavor) with only one.

Not at all if you use mild Italian sausages. If you prefer heat, opt for hot sausages or throw in some chili flakes to taste.

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

Definitely! Assemble everything a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, just sprinkle on the cheese and bake as directed.

Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers Recipe

Description

This Cheesy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers features juicy, bite-sized Italian sausages, a medley of colorful bell peppers, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Quickly prepped and oven-baked, the dish delivers a hearty, flavor-packed main course perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sausages & Vegetables

10 mild Italian sausages
1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped

Seasonings & Oil

1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once your ingredients are prepped.
Prepare the Sausages
Cut the Italian sausages into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a well-greased baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
Add Peppers
Roughly chop the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Scatter the chopped peppers evenly into the baking dish with the sausage pieces.
Season and Toss
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the sausage and pepper mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss everything in the dish to ensure even coating of oil and seasonings.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sausage and peppers mixture, covering as much surface as possible.
Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and bubbly, and the sausages are cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding sliced onions or minced garlic before baking.
Swap in spicy Italian sausage for a heat kick.
This dish pairs well with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 425
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 970mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 75mg