Homemade Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers, smothered in marinara sauce and cream.
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!
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
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 8 oz elbow macaroni , dry
- 18 oz marinara sauce
- 18 oz water
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese
- In a large skillet cook sausage on medium heat, until meat is brown. Drain off fat.
- 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.
- 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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How much water do you add?
Turkey sausage works very well with this , we have this at least once a week. Great meal
So happy to hear that, Pamela! Using turkey sausage is a great idea!
Hi Julia ,please could you tell what is half and half ,thank you
Half and half is a US milk product that combines milk and cream. To make 1 cup of half and half, combine 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream (or cream that has at least 30% milk fat).
This is an every other week staple for me and my husband. This is absolutely my most favorite recipe found on Pinterest.
Wow, Ashley, your comment made my day! 🙂 Thank you! So glad you came over to my site and left such a kind comment! 🙂
How much water did you use?
Since my family don’t eat pork, I substitute for ground Turkey sausage. It was a huge hit with the kids. Thanks can’t wait to try it again.
So glad your family liked this dish! Turkey sausage sounds delicious in this recipe.
Wil this recipe work in Colorado be because of the high altitudes? Do I need to make any changes to it?
Yes, this recipe will work as is at high altitudes.
Very easy, very good. Well done. Thank you
You’re very welcome! Glad you liked it!
This recipe is my weekly go to. Thank you so much for sharing.
You’re very welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂