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Savory Italian Beef Sausage & Pepper Casserole Delight

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This Italian Sausage Pepper Casserole is a vibrant, flavorful, and comforting meal that combines beef Italian sausage with colorful bell peppers and a rich sauce. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family!

Ingredients

  • beef Italian sausage
  • red bell pepper
  • yellow bell pepper
  • orange bell pepper
  • green bell pepper
  • yellow onion
  • fresh minced garlic
  • crushed tomatoes
  • diced tomatoes
  • Italian seasoning
  • non-alcoholic red wine substitute or beef broth
  • shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • pinch of sugar (optional)
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a large 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Chop all your vegetables: slice the bell peppers into strips, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
  3. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the beef Italian sausage for about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion to the skillet with the remaining sausage fat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  5. Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and cook for another 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  6. Deglaze the pan with a splash of non-alcoholic red wine substitute or beef broth, scraping up the browned bits. Let it simmer for a minute.
  7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  8. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix everything together. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top and finish with a light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, switch to the broiler for the last minute for a crispy top.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don't overcrowd the pan while browning the sausage and sautéing the vegetables for better flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, and feel free to customize with additional vegetables or cheese variations.

Find it online: https://mamablueberry.com/savory-italian-beef-sausage-pepper-casserole-delight/