Homemade mac and cheese with sausage and bell peppers smothered in marinara sauce and cream. This skillet mac and cheese is a perfect weeknight family dinner as it takes only 45 minutes to make!
In this mac and cheese recipe, everything is cooked in one skillet: sausage, bell peppers, and even pasta! The clean-up after dinner is super easy! This dish will become your family’s favorite!
I’ve made this homemade mac and cheese with sausage and bell peppers a couple of weeks ago as my lunch to take to work – and IT WAS SO GOOD! AND, SO EASY TO MAKE!
How to make skillet mac and cheese
First, start by cooking sausage on medium heat, in a large skillet until the meat is brown. Drain off fat. Then, add diced bell peppers:
Next, add dried elbow macaroni, marinara sauce, and water:
Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes until macaroni is tender, occasionally stirring. Add half and half, sprinkle with cheese, and mix everything well. Remove from heat, cover and let it sit for about 2 minutes or until the cheese melts:
Your pasta is ready to serve: only 45 minutes from start to finish!
In this homemade mac and cheese recipe, everything is cooked in one skillet: sausage, bell peppers, and even pasta! This delicious red sauce macaroni and cheese will become your new family favorite!
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 2 bell peppers , diced
- 8 oz elbow macaroni , dry
- 18 oz marinara sauce
- 18 oz water
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
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In a large skillet cook sausage on medium heat, until meat is brown. Drain off fat.
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Add diced bell peppers, dried elbow macaroni, marinara sauce, and water. Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes until macaroni is tender, occasionally stirring.
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Add half and half, sprinkle with cheese, and mix everything well. Remove from heat, cover and let it sit for about 2 minutes or until cheese melts.
WHAT IS HALF AND HALF? To make 1 cup of half and half, combine 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream).
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Quick, easy and very tasteful. Family enjoyed it with a side salad and garlic bread. One for the recipe library.
I modified this recipe to use up a couple of leftovers in my freezer. The first was about a cup and a half of tomato sauce that was cooked with ground sausage. I added my leftover shredded chuck roasted that was slowed cooked in a tomato base. I added a small can of tomato sauce and the chopped peppers. since I was out of mozzarella I used a mexican style cheese blend. I also substituted almond milk for the half and half because that was all I had and added some baby spinach at the end to get in additional vegetables. Got rave reviews.
I just made this recipe and we really enjoyed it. I used tomato sauce instead of marinara, and a little diced tomatoes…. Because that’s what I had on hand. I also used sour cream and cheddar cheese and added duces green peppers as well. My family loved it. Thank you for sharing this great recipe.
Why can’t people pin your recipes?
Awesome dish!
So tasty, delicious, easy to make and easy to clean up
Elsa, I am happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for your comment!
This looks so good! Can you substitute hamburger for the sausage? Thanks! Can’t wait to make this!
Thank you, Shirley! Yes, you can substitute hamburger meat for the sausage but will probably have to adjust seasonings, such as add extra salt since sausage is usually salty.
I stumbled upon this recipe when I wss pregnant with my first that was almost 4 years ago even tho it gave me heartburn kept making it, lol. I used spicy italian sausage because that’s all I had plus I like it a bit spicy and it turned out great . ever since then I’ve been making this. it is absolutely delicious, simple ingredients and quick to make. even if you dont have half and half, I’ve used milk or heavy cream in the past worked out great making it again tonight !