Hearty & Cheesy Keto Italian Sausage Bake (Flavorful & Low-Carb!)
Satisfy your cravings for classic Italian flavors with this Hearty & Cheesy Keto Italian Sausage Bake! Golden-brown Italian sausage, tender bell peppers, savory onions, and earthy mushrooms are baked together under a generous blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. This simple, one-dish meal is packed with flavor and comes together easily. This low-carb, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free dish is a delightful addition to your health journey, perfect for a comforting family dinner here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!
Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage (bulk or removed from casings)
- ½ medium onion, chopped or sliced
- 1-2 medium bell peppers (any color), cored, seeded, and sliced or chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (fresh or canned, drained well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, if pan is dry after browning sausage)
- 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste (for extra seasoning on veggies)
- Optional: Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Equipment:
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- 9×13 inch casserole dish
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Veggies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Chop the onion, slice the bell peppers, and slice the mushrooms.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the mild Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
- Cook until the sausage is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease from the skillet and transfer the cooked sausage to a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly over the bottom.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet (add 1 tablespoon of olive oil if the pan is dry), add the chopped onion, sliced bell peppers, and sliced mushrooms.
- Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and lightly softened. (Optionally, season veggies with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper during this step.)
- Assemble Casserole: Spoon the sautéed vegetables evenly over the browned sausage in the casserole dish.
- Generously cover the entire dish with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the mozzarella cheese on top is completely melted and lightly golden brown. For extra browning, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes (watch carefully!).
- Serve & Enjoy! Remove from the oven. Let the bake cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy your hearty Italian Sausage Bake! ❤️
Tips for Success:
- Drain Sausage Well: Italian sausage can be quite fatty. Draining excess grease prevents the casserole from becoming oily.
- Don’t Overcook Veggies: Sauté the vegetables until tender-crisp, as they will continue to cook and soften in the oven.
- Customization: Feel free to add other keto-friendly vegetables like zucchini, spinach (add raw with cheese, it will wilt), or even a dash of sugar-free marinara sauce under the cheese layer for more moisture.
- Spice Level: Use hot Italian sausage if you prefer more heat.
- Cheese for Topping: While mozzarella is great, you can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan or provolone for extra depth of flavor.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Keto Italian Sausage Bake is a delightful addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the Italian sausage and cheese.
- High Fat: Yes, from the Italian sausage and cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb by focusing on sausage, non-starchy vegetables, and cheese.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.