A hearty baked casserole of savory Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, onions, garlic, and rich tomato sauce — perfect for easy weeknight dinners or make-ahead meals.
1½ lbs Italian sausage (pork, chicken, or turkey)
3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced
1 large onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes or 2 cups marinara
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
Brown sausage in a skillet. Set aside.
Sauté peppers, onions, and garlic until softened.
In a bowl, combine sausage, veggies, tomatoes, seasoning, and spices.
Spread mixture in a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with cheese if using.
Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes covered, then 10–15 minutes uncovered until bubbly.
Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Add cooked pasta to make it a one-dish meal.
Freeze after baking and reheat later for easy dinners.
Use spicy sausage for extra heat.