Cheesy Sausage & Pepper Bake

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups marinara sauce or tomato sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded provolone or Italian blend (optional for extra cheesiness)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (adjust as needed)
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Add-Ins

• Sliced mushrooms
• Zucchini chunks
• Fresh basil
• Parmesan cheese

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⭐ Instructions

1. Prep & Brown the Sausage

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet.
2. Add Italian sausage.
3. Cook until browned, breaking into chunks.
4. Drain excess fat if needed.

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2. Sauté the Vegetables

1. In the same pan, add onions and bell peppers.
2. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
4. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, pepper, and salt.

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3. Combine & Build the Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a foil baking pan (as shown in your image), mix:
   • cooked sausage
   • sautéed peppers & onions
   • marinara sauce
3. Toss everything until well-coated.

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4. Add Cheese

1. Scatter the mozzarella over the top.
2. Optional: add provolone or Italian blend cheese for a golden top.

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5. Bake

Bake 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.

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⭐ Serve

Serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Cooked pasta
• Rice
• Cauliflower rice (keto option)
• Fresh salad

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⭐ Storage

• Refrigerate 3–4 days
• Freeze up to 2 months
• Reheat in oven for best texture