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Pasta Chicken

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers

Published: May 21, 2015 | 175 Comments

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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!

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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!

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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:

cooking sausage and bell peppers for mac and cheese recipe

Next, add dried elbow macaroni, marinara sauce, and water:

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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:

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Your pasta is ready to serve: only 45 minutes from start to finish!

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4.98 from 36 votes
Skillet Mac and Cheese
Print
Skillet Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

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! 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 436 kcal
Author: Julia
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet cook sausage on medium heat, until meat is brown. Drain off fat.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
Recipe Notes

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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Nutrition Facts
Skillet Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 978mg43%
Potassium 647mg18%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 1210IU24%
Vitamin C 47.8mg58%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 2.4mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Filed Under: Bell Peppers, Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Mozzarella, Pasta, Recipe, Vegetables Published: May 21, 2015 175 Comments

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Previous Post: « Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pasta with Bell Peppers, Asparagus, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Next Post: Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elsa

    Dec 08, 2020 at 2:57 am

    So tasty, delicious, easy to make and easy to clean up

    Reply
    • Julia

      Dec 10, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      Elsa, I am happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for your comment!

      Reply
  2. Shirley Yhiel

    Nov 18, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    This looks so good! Can you substitute hamburger for the sausage? Thanks! Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Julia

      Nov 19, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      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.

      Reply
  3. abby

    May 30, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    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 !

    Reply
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