Italian Sausage and a variety of red, yellow, and orange bell peppers make the perfect (un) Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Using classic, traditional stuffed pepper ingredients, this casserole dish takes the work out of stuffed pepper prep with the same delicious flavors.
Growing up, I cannot say that I loved stuffed peppers. Its odd, because I do love peppers and I do love the stuffing, I just never overly enjoyed stuffed peppers themselves. If you find yourself in the category of loving the inside of a stuffed pepper, this UNstuffed pepper casserole with Italian sausage and a delicious blend of spices may be the perfect recipe for you.
So easy to make into a filling and savory side dish casserole or simple serve as a unique and delicious main dish, you are sure to be satisfied and full! Scroll to the bottom for a printer friendly version of this recipe and a few cooking suggestions.
Italian Sausage Pepper Casserole
Serves 8-12, can be served as a savory casserole side dish or a hearty main dish.
Before you get started on this recipe, you will need the following ingredients. Then scroll down for full Italian Sausage and Pepper Casserole measurements and instructions on creating this recipe – including a full recipe card that you can print for free that helps you shop and create easily in your kitchen!
- cooking oil
- onion, chopped
- minced garlic
- bell peppers, varying colors
- ground Italian sausage
- Worcestershire sauce
- salt
- oregano
- black pepper
- white rice
- diced tomatoes
- mozzarella cheese
Before starting this recipe: Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Skillet Options: If you have large 12″ ovenproof skillet (cast iron) you can use that or a 9 x 13 casserole dish
RELATED RECIPES: Pizza Casserole, Tuna Casserole, Chicken and Rice Bake, Chicken Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping
Red or Green Peppers?
I used red, orange and yellow peppers but you can easily use all green or mix colors differently. It’s personal preference. You can use orange, yellow, red or green peppers (or a mixture!) for a variety of colors and flavors.
Substituting Ground Italian Sausage
Feel free to substitute Italian Sausage with Ground beef or Ground Sirloin.
How to Make Unstuffed Pepper Casserole
In a large skillet, add oil, onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
Add peppers and sausage and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
Add seasonings, rice and tomatoes. Mix well.
Pour into prepared baking pan and top with cheese.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until edges are bubbly and center is hot.
Remove from oven and serve.
Is Pepper Casserole Keto Friendly?
As with most vegetables, bell peppers are healthy and low carb. As far as pepper casserole being keto friendly, because this casserole dish has white rice in it, its not a low carb dish. Instead of rice, try to substitute white riced cauliflower or even quinoa. Whether or not this casserole is a great choice for your particular diet needs is up to you. Here are the estimated nutritional values:
Disclaimer: Dietary information provided by Carb Manager. If you are on a KETO or Low Carb diet, always make sure to double check your own information with this or My Fitness Pal based on the brands and weights you use. I am not responsible for the calculations but do try to provide as much information as possible for readers to make informed decisions.
Easy Way to Spice Up this Recipe
An easy way to alter the flavors of stuffed casserole, is to simple pick out a Rotel tomato flavor that has a variety of spices in it. The one with jalapeno is fantastic!
Serve this Stuffed Casserole Dish with:
Need some recipes to serve with this casserole dish? Try fresh strawberry spinach salad with homemade dressing, cold marinated tomato salad, or a hot side dish like sauteed sugar snap peas.
Did you make my recipe? If you made this recipe, I would love your feedback, rating and any changes you may have made that were perfect for your family. As always, find me on Pinterest for the first notifications on new recipes that you can count on.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe loaded with Sausage
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 bell peppers seeded and cut into 1/2" pieces
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups white rice cooked
- 1 can 14.5 oz, Italian style diced tomatoes in any flavor you like
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Set aside pan or casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, add oil, onion and garlic.
- Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Add prepped diced peppers and sausage and continue to cook for 10-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
- Add seasonings, already steamed rice and can of tomatoes. Mix well.
- Pour stuffed pepper mix into prepared baking pan and top with cheese.
- Bake casserole for 30-35 minutes or until edges are bubbly and center is hot.
- Remove from oven and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Comments & Reviews
Nicole says
Can you make this ahead of time and freeZe?!
Trisha says
Nicole, I havent personally frozen this dish to give you a custom experience (my freezer is always packed w/ like ice cream and waffles, haha!) but on some research, it appears it should be fine, however cooked rice can get “mushy” or a bit dry (as left over rice does) when frozen and then unfrozen and recooked. You might be best just freezing the peppers and sausage portion and adding fresh rice at the cook level if possible.
Glenna says
This recipe is a definite “keeper”. I used Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, Jasmine Rice and Pepper Jack Cheese. It was delicious!
Trisha Haas says
Thank you for your awesome feedback! So glad you enjoyed this pepper casserole!
Carole says
I have made this several times now using turkey breakfast sausage since I must eat low fat and low salt. I also hate oregano so I use 1/2 teaspoon each of rosemary, basil thyme and sage. It has worked well. Salt free tomatoes and brown rice are the only other changes. Really love sausage stuffed pepper casserole!
Trisha Haas says
So glad you loved this recipe! I love your ideas for changes and thank you for sharing!