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Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage Recipe

4.9 from 72 reviews

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.

Ingredients

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)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add Marinara Sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and pour in the low-carb marinara sauce, spreading it evenly over the sausages.
  4. 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.
  5. Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. 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.
  7. 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