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
- 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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Could you leave out half and half?
This sounds goofy. I always look at other people’s Recipes and see how I can add different ingredients to spice it up a little. I love to cook. I’ll try it your way first. I’m sure its good.
Enjoy the recipe!
Can I use tomato sauce instead of marinara sauce?
Yes, you can! Might have to add some spices, such as dried basil and a small amount of red pepper flakes.
How much is in a serving?
The whole recipe makes 6 servings.
SO GOOD! THANKS FOR SHARING
You are very welcome! 🙂
Excellent!!! I used 1 green pepper and 1 red pepper. Used Bob Evans zesty hot sausage and 1/2 red onion. Was fantastic!! Definitely will make again!! Yum!!
Thank you, Tracy! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Excited to try this tonight, ive heard great things about this receipt from co workers. will update tonight!
Enjoy!
Delicious! Will definitely make again, but with 1 bell pepper instead of two. I whos also cook the bell peppers a little first before adding remaining ingredients. They were to crunchy for my taste.
What kind of sausage did you use, was it breakfast pork sausage, or Italian sausage?
I used regular pork sausage (sausage roll).
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your feedback!
If I want to make and freeze, to warm in oven for future meal, would I do anything diffetently?
No, I just cook the dish as directed and freeze it after it’s cooked.