This one-skillet macaroni and cheese with Italian sausage and bell peppers is just the right quick and comforting meal for any time of the year!
Hi y’all!
I always wanted to start a post with “y’all,” and now that I officially reside in the south, I am fully embracing it! My husband did warn me that with my confused Egyptian + nasally Midwestern accent, it hardly sounds like the authentic warm yawl of the south. That hasn’t stopped me from trying, though.
It is week two for us in Atlanta, GA. And day four for Saba on the new job–the reason we made this swift move across the country. I am super excited for this new chapter of lives and the adventures it will bring!
I have been up early to see Saba off to work, which means I have already had about a quart of coffee before I got to my computer! Wired! And very excited to share an easy one-skillet macaroni and cheese recipe. I tried a bit of an Italian twist on macaroni and cheese, adding Italian sausage and bell peppers!
The inspiration behind this recipe? I wish I had a big story to share today, but in truth, this recipe was born out of the challenge of living a very temporary life with a tiny kitchenette of a two-burner stove (not sure “stove” is an accurate description). If you missed it, here is the sneak peek video of the kitchenette again.
The past week went by like a blur. We spent most of the week navigating new systems– new school registrations; new health care providers; and a bit of house hunting. But as we navigated from one place to another, all I wanted to do was to simply find food establishments–grocery stores and restaurants. After all, I feel most at home in such places. I was elated to quickly find the area Whole Foods Market; I nearly did my infamous chicken dance when my husband agreed to stop for a brief stroll through its aisles of fresh produce. And, I did find a new favorite restaurant! Jerusalem Grill and Bakery in Alpharetta; I am definitely going back for some of their yummy meat pie and freshly baked pita bread!
Hectic move and limited kitchen aside, my family craved a bite of home-cooking comfort. And that is exactly what this macaroni and cheese with Italian sausage and bell peppers provides.
The flavoring in this macaroni and cheese skillet comes mainly from the Italian sausage. I added a little fresh garlic and red onions for good measure. This is not a fancy meal, but a delicious one-skillet-wonder that comes together in minutes! All you need is your trusted cast iron skillet and a few ingredients. My kind of “no sweat” meal. Shall we get to it?
Here is the step-by-step for this one-skillet macaroni and cheese with Italian sausage and bell peppers:
Cook the pasta in the water according to package instructions adding 1 tbsp of olive oil and salt to the boiling water. When the pasta is cooked to Al Dente, remove from heat and drain. Set aside briefly.
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. On medium-high heat, saute the chopped green and red bell peppers and the red onions for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally. Add the garlic and saute for one more minute. Transfer the sauteed vegetables to a plate.
In the same skillet, on medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage until completely cooked through (about 10 minutes).
Stir in the tomato paste and sugar. Return the sauteed vegetables back to the skillet; stir to combine.
Now stir in the cooked pasta. Turn the heat to medium, tossing together until the pasta is warmed through. Stir in the cheese. Turn the heat off and cover briefly so the cheese melts nicely. Enjoy!
Macaroni and Cheese with Italian Sausage and Bell Peppers
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
This one-skillet macaroni and cheese with Italian sausage and bell peppers packs flavor and comes together in minutes! A top macaroni & cheese recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fusilli pasta
- Water
- olive oil
- Salt
- 1 cup chopped green bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped red bell peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped red onions
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic (or 3–4 garlic cloves)
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage (Or chicken sausage), casings removed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzerlla cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in the water according to package instructions adding 1 tbsp olive oil and salt to the boiling water. When the pasta is cooked to Al Dente, remove from heat and drain. Set aside briefly.
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. On medium-high heat, saute the chopped green and red bell peppers and the red onions for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally. Add the garlic and saute for one more minute. Transfer the sauteed vegetables to a plate.
- In the same skillet, on medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage until completely cooked through (about 10 minutes). Stir in the tomato paste and sugar.
- Return the sauteed vegetables back to the skillet; stir to combine. Now stir in the cooked pasta. Turn the heat to medium, tossing together until the pasta is warmed through. Stir in the cheese. Turn the heat off and cover briefly so the cheese melts nicely. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Italian
Looking for more pasta recipes? Try my favorite blackened chicken and spaghetti dinner; orzo with tomato braised zucchini; or this flavor-packed Italian sausage minestrone!
Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I receive a small credit when you make a purchase through a link provided here. Please know I only recommend quality products that I believe are priced competitively. Please only purchase what you need. Feel free to browse this Amazon link for products not mentioned in this post. Thank you for your support!
Another winner!
We lightened it up a bit by swapping half the pasta with chopped up cauliflower sautéed with the pepper & onion.
Love the website. I’ve been making all your recipes, and I even lowered my cholesterol by 30 points! But I have to say, please don’t judge the South by living in Atlanta. I was born and raised in the South, including a ten year stint in metro Atlanta in my 20’s. Trust me when I tell you Atlanta may be located in the south (notice the lower case), but it is not any more “Southern” than any other large city. People there are rude, unhelpful, and only care about themselves. If you want to experience the South get out of Atlanta (by at least 60 miles, not even kidding). Sorry for the rant but I just don’t want you do get the wrong impression about what the South is really like. Anyway, I’m excited to try this Mac and cheese recipe for a rare splurge meal!
Thank you, CK! Glad to have you here. We’ve been here nearly 5 years now and have been blessed to have met some wonderful people here in the city and outside. Hope you enjoy this recipe. Let us know what you think!
Hi, I made this meal, substituting with Field Roast vegetarian Italian sausage. It was delicious! Winter is already here in Washington state so it is a comfort food that I will definitely make again. My husband is uber-picky about his mac n cheese but it got his approval also. I’ve cooked several recipes from your site and have never been disappointed!
Hi Linda! Thank you so much for sharing! I am glad this recipe worked out for you guys! And great substitution for a vegetarian version!
This is such a comfort food. Easy to make and yet with all the goodness.. Well done!
I lived in Atlanta for more than 10 years. It is a beautiful city growing by the minute. I hope it will bring you and your family as much happiness it did to me. Cheers!
Thank you so much, Aysegul! We are loving Atalanta. There is so much to explore yet, but we are looking forward to discovering this wonderful city!
Hi! I rarely leave comments, but this is the second recipe I’ve gotten from your site, and as an Atlanta native, I felt like I needed to welcome you to the area. If you ever need any insight into the best areas/restaurants/schools etc. please don’t hesitate to email. I hope you’re enjoying your new home. Ps. I my husband is Greek, and he loved the Mediterranean potato recipe, so thanks. Welcome!
Carlie, thank you so much for your warm welcome! I am excited to be here in Atlanta, and can’t wait to discover more! So happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed some of the recipes here already. It means a lot to me that you took the time to let me know. Happy cooking! And please stay in touch.
I’m in love with this pasta!!! ????
Thank you Adriana! Let me know if you try it!!!
I will cook the shrimp first!! I’ll take a pic… ????
Good plan!
I need to go for a walk after looking at the mac ‘n cheese…I gained 5# just looking. Fabulous. I’m hungry. Won’t you be my neighbor? 🙂
Vicki, everyone needs a little mac n cheese once in a while. I’d gladly be your neighbor, but then you’ll have to share your food with me too 😉
Great idea. I think you should have a vacation home in the mountains … near me! Okay.
Great photos – looks delicious.
Thanks so much, Patty! Glad you like it!