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 30 minutes and is made in one pan!
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 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!
Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork sausage
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 8 oz elbow macaroni uncooked
- 18 oz marinara sauce
- 18 oz water
- ⅓ cup half and half
- ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Maggie Agront
Delicious using just what the recipe calls for, I used hot Italian pork sausage because we like spicy food, extra cheese because we LOVE cheese. Will make again and again.
Julia
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your comment!
Kelsey
Could you leave out half and half?
terri lynn qayyum-Williams
I used can milk, I didnt have any half and half and it came out great. My husband just kept saying how good it was.
Lloyd
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.
Julia
Enjoy the recipe!
Sandi
Can I use tomato sauce instead of marinara sauce?
Julia
Yes, you can! Might have to add some spices, such as dried basil and a small amount of red pepper flakes.
Sharon
How much is in a serving?
Julia
The whole recipe makes 6 servings.
SARAH
SO GOOD! THANKS FOR SHARING
Julia
You are very welcome! 🙂
Tracy
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!!
Julia
Thank you, Tracy! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
Angie
Excited to try this tonight, ive heard great things about this receipt from co workers. will update tonight!
Julia
Enjoy!
Tricia
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.
Sharon
What kind of sausage did you use, was it breakfast pork sausage, or Italian sausage?
Julia
I used regular pork sausage (sausage roll).
Julia
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your feedback!
Lynn
If I want to make and freeze, to warm in oven for future meal, would I do anything diffetently?
Julia
No, I just cook the dish as directed and freeze it after it's cooked.
Bryden
I just made this. It was delicious. Definitely would recommend it for anyone to make. Will definitely be making it again. So easy to make too.
Julia
Thank you for such a positive comment! I am glad you enjoyed this pasta! 🙂
Carol
Looks pretty good but can hardly be called Mac and CHEESE with only 1/3 cup of cheese...that’s just my opinion.
Jaki
Do you have an Instant Pot version?
Ula
Ran across this recipe looks delish I’m going to make it for dinner tomorrow night I will let you know how it turns out
Julia
Enjoy!
Jama Shaulis
Is it really 18 oz of water and 18 oz of sauce?
Julia
Yes. Keep in mind that you are cooking the pasta in the same pan as the sauce, that's why you add 18 oz of water and 18 oz of sauce.