Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our delectable Baked Elbow Macaroni with Italian Sausage and Peppers. This hearty and flavorful dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring succulent Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and tender elbow macaroni, all enveloped in a rich and creamy sauce.
The recipe begins with the preparation of the sausage and peppers. Italian sausage is browned to perfection, releasing its savory juices and infusing the dish with a tantalizing aroma. Bell peppers, with their vibrant hues and crisp texture, add a delightful crunch and a burst of sweetness.
Meanwhile, the elbow macaroni is cooked al dente, retaining a slight bite that complements the other ingredients. The creamy sauce, made with a blend of milk, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese, brings everything together, creating a luscious and velvety embrace for the pasta, sausage, and peppers.
Once assembled, the dish is baked until golden brown and bubbly. The melted cheese forms a delectable crust on top, while the interior remains moist and flavorful. Served piping hot, this Baked Elbow Macaroni with Italian Sausage and Peppers is sure to become a family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings.
In addition to the main recipe, the article also offers variations to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the sausage can be replaced with roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms.
For a touch of heat, chili flakes or diced jalapeños can be added to the sauce. And for those who prefer a lighter version, the cream cheese can be omitted, and the milk can be replaced with a lighter broth or even water.
No matter which variation you choose, this Baked Elbow Macaroni with Italian Sausage and Peppers is sure to satisfy your cravings for a comforting and delicious meal. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you and your loved ones savoring every bite.
SAUSAGE, ONION AND PEPPER BAKED PASTA
This pasta dish lures you with sausage, onion and pepper and seals the deal with gooey fontina cheese.
Provided by Food Network
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Add the green and red bell peppers and onion to the skillet with the sausage drippings and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden in spots, about 8 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the sausage.
- Cook the rigatoni in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
- Add the tomato sauce, half of the fontina and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining fontina and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.
MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE
Skip the bun: Eat your sausage, pepper and onion in a mac and cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 1h15m
Yield 10-12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta; set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the bell pepper, onion and a pinch of salt to the drippings in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to the plate with the sausage.
- Carefully wipe out the pot, add the half-and-half and cayenne and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere, 1 handful at time, until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the sausage and vegetables; adjust the seasoning with additional salt. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE MACARONI BAKE
"Because we have three children who keep us busy, casseroles have been life-savers for me," notes Amber Zurbrugg of Alliance, Ohio. "This one especially appeals to me because it has a rich Italian flavor."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Drain macaroni., In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, sausage mixture, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, basil and pepper. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 calories, Fat 35g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 89mg cholesterol, Sodium 1371mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
SAUSAGE MACARONI BAKE
Everyone's bound to want seconds of this satisfying Italian-style bake from Kelli Bucy of Red Oak, Iowa. Oregano seasons the pork sausage, macaroni and tomato sauce mixture that's topped with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. "It really hits the spot when you want a quick not-so-big-meal," Kelli suggests.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the green pepper, onion, oregano and pepper. Stir in tomato sauce and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Stir in macaroni and 2 tablespoons cheese. Transfer to an ungreased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 24g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 1174mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.
CHEESY BAKED PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA
Like a cross between baked ziti and sausage lasagna, this mozzarella-topped pasta is rich with ricotta and crushed tomatoes - and cooks entirely in one pan, including the pasta. The Italian sausage adds meaty depth to the sauce, but vegetarians can leave it out or use their favorite plant-based sausage instead.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories easy, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Crumble sausage into skillet, using a spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until starting to brown, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, fennel seeds and red-pepper flakes (if using), and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in whole tomatoes and their juice, using a spoon to break them up. Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in pasta and 1 cup water and return to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, pluck out the bay leaves, and fold in about a third of the mozzarella.
- Top pasta with remaining mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle with Parmesan, then transfer to oven. Bake until pasta is tender when poked with a fork, and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. (If you'd like a more deeply browned topping, run the pan under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.) Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top with basil, plenty of black pepper, and more red-pepper flakes, if you like.
Tips:
- To save time, use pre-cooked Italian sausage.
- If you don't have elbow macaroni, you can use any other small pasta shape, such as penne or shells.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the dish, such as chopped onion, zucchini, or mushrooms.
- For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- If you don't have marinara sauce, you can use your favorite pasta sauce.
- Serve the baked macaroni with a side of grated Parmesan cheese and crusty bread.
Conclusion:
Baked elbow macaroni with Italian sausage and peppers is a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love. It's also a great dish to make ahead of time and reheat for lunch or dinner. With its combination of hearty pasta, flavorful sausage, and sweet peppers, this dish is sure to be a hit.
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