Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage Recipe
Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage is a delicious and comforting dish featuring browned Italian sausages simmered in a rich marinara sauce, topped with a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection. This savory meal combines classic Italian flavors and a creamy cheesy crust, making it a perfect hearty dinner option that’s easy to prepare.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Carb
Main Ingredients
- Italian sausages, sliced – 10 sausages (choose mild or spicy)
- Water – ½ cup
- Marinara sauce, low carb – 24 oz
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded – 1 ½ cup
- Parmesan cheese, grated – ¼ cup
- Italian seasoning – 1 tsp
- Garlic powder – ½ tsp
- Onion powder – ½ tsp
- Dried basil – ½ tsp
- Black pepper – to taste
- Salt – to taste
For Serving
- Parsley, chopped – for garnish (or substitute with cilantro)
- Preheat and Brown Sausage: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the sliced Italian sausages. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, ensuring the sausages develop a nice crust.
- Simmer with Water: Reduce heat to low, add ½ cup of water to the skillet, and cover with a lid. Let the sausages simmer gently for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and pour in the low-carb marinara sauce, spreading it evenly over the sausages.
- Top with Cheese and Seasonings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the marinara and sausages. Then, add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, black pepper, and salt to taste.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for Finish: Switch the oven to broil and broil the dish for 2 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese on top. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausages with chicken or turkey sausages for a leaner option.
- Use low-carb marinara sauce or homemade tomato sauce to reduce sugar and carbs.
- Add fresh garlic or sautéed onions instead of powders for stronger flavor.
- For a cheesier blend, mix mozzarella with provolone or fontina cheeses.
- Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Italian sausage, cheesy baked sausage, baked Italian sausage, low carb sausage recipe, cheesy sausage bake, easy Italian dinner