Description
Easy Italian Sausage Bake with Peppers is a cozy, flavorful one-pan meal featuring savory Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, onions, and a rich tomato sauce. With simple ingredients and quick preparation, this baked dish captures authentic Italian flavors and suits busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Served with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, it’s a hearty, nutritious, and customizable recipe everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Meat
- 1 lb Italian sausage links (sweet or spicy)
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry Items and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Slice the bell peppers into strips, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Cut the Italian sausage links into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy serving.
- Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside, keeping the drippings in the pan.
- Sauté the peppers and onions: In the same skillet, add sliced peppers and chopped onion. Cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute to infuse flavor without burning.
- Combine and simmer: Return sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce and stir in dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Bake and finish: If the skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use quality Italian sausage for richer flavor.
- Brown sausage in batches to avoid overcrowding and steaming.
- Use a mix of green, red, and yellow peppers for color and flavor.
- Simmer sauce gently on low heat to deepen flavors without drying out.
- Fresh basil or parsley added at the end brightens the dish.
- Can substitute sausage with chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives.
- Serve over polenta, rice, or pasta for a complete meal.
- Store leftovers refrigerated up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently in oven or microwave, adding a splash of water or tomato sauce if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg