Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (2024)

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How to make skillet mac and cheese Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) Ingredients Instructions Notes Nutrition Nutrition Disclaimer: Reader Interactions Comments Leave a Reply FAQs References

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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 30 minutes and is made in one pan!

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (1)

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!

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (2)

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:

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (3)

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

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (4)

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:

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (5)

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) (6)

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (7)

4.69 from 278 votes

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe)

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!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories per serving 437 kcal

Author: Julia

Ingredients

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

WHAT IS HALF AND HALF? To make 1 cup of half and half, combine ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream).

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe)

Amount per Serving

Calories

437

% Daily Value*

Fat

24

g

37

%

Saturated Fat

9

g

56

%

Trans Fat

0.2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

10

g

Cholesterol

64

mg

21

%

Sodium

939

mg

41

%

Potassium

631

mg

18

%

Carbohydrates

36

g

12

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

6

g

7

%

Protein

20

g

40

%

Vitamin A

1757

IU

35

%

Calcium

78

mg

8

%

Iron

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

Tried this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment and provide a Star Rating below - I love your feedback and try to respond to every comment!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (8)Schranz Frigyes

    Thanks for the mac and cheese recipe! Big Bang! My son eats this morning, noon and night!

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (9)Julia

      Schranz, sounds like this recipe is a favorite with your son - I am so happy to hear that! ❤️❤️

      Reply

  2. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (10)Melissa Torres

    Great recipe! You can add anything you have on hand to it to spruce it up. The peppers were perfect and then we added red pepper flakes, garlic herb seasoning and pepper. Used cheddar and all enjoyed it.

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (11)Julia

      Melissa, I am so glad you loved this dish! ❤️ Love the addition of red pepper flakes and garlic herb seasoning!

      Reply

  3. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (12)Barbara

    Good flavor but I'm not a lover of peppers so for me it had 1 to many peppers. I used mild cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella as that's what I had on hand. It just seems so runny with all the liquids it has in it. But the real test will come when my son decides if he likes it or not. lol

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (13)Julia

      Barbara, thank you for trying this recipe - I hope your son likes it! 🙂 If it's too runny, just add gradually a bit more cheese to thicken it up!

      Reply

  4. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (14)Amanda

    I just cooked this , it was awesome , loved it , will make again

    Reply

  5. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (15)Veronica

    This is a delicious quick easy weekday dinner! I followed the recipe as it is and it turned out great.

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (16)Julia

      Veronica, I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply

      • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (17)Amanda

        Made this using ground turkey, small shells and homo milk cause thats what I had on hand. And I added onions and used chicken stock instead of plain water to make up for some missing flavour from the turkey and it was so good. My 3yo keeps going on about how it was delicious. Such a fast meal, 1 pot, using things I usually have on hand. Will make again!

        Reply

  6. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (18)Gavin

    This looks amazingly nummy yummy. Gonna throw down on it tonight

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (19)Julia

      Gavin, I hope you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  7. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (20)Sandy

    This was so easy and fast to make and the best part...my family loved it! It will be a regular meal at this house!

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (21)Julia

      Sandy, thank you for taking the time to share such a positive comment - it made my day! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (22)Suzyn

    I made this tonight and it was a huge hit! The teenager ate seconds, so this will make it into our rotation! When I make this again for more people I will do more than the double batch I made tonight.

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (23)Julia

      Suzyn, I am so glad you tried this recipe and loved it! 🙂 Thank you for the comment and 5-star review - I really appreciate it! 🙂 🙂

      Reply

      • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (24)Nicole Mckee

        This is our easy go to for week night dinner. We both love it!!

        Reply

        • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (25)Julia

          Nicole, so glad you love this recipe! ❤️

          Reply

  9. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (26)Steve

    Can you freeze this after cooking?

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (27)Julia

      I would cook this recipe but not add the cream and cheese if you would like to freeze it. When you thaw this, reheat this on the stove top until hot, then add the cream and melt the cheese. Otherwise, the cheese-based cream sauces don't freeze well and lose their texture.

      Reply

  10. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (28)Nyesha M

    I’ve made this recipe multiple times and would sometimes substitute certain ingredients but it still came out so good. I love it

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (29)Julia

      Nyesha, I am so glad you've enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a positive comment! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (30)Jill

    This is a family favorite. I make this all the time. Only thing I do different is I use great value mushroom spaghetti sauce (its my familys favorite) instead of marinara. Then I add a can of mushrooms. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (31)Julia

      Jill, I am so happy this recipe is one of your favorites! Thank you for such a positive comment! 🙂

      Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (32)Nathan Reardon

      This is amazing! My whole family loved it! Will defo be saving this recipe for future!

      Reply

      • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (33)Julia

        Nathan, I am glad to hear this recipe is worth repeating! 🙂

        Reply

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Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What to add to mac and cheese to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Explore More ›
What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Learn More ›
How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

Get More Info Here ›
What meat pairs well with mac and cheese? ›

Popular choices are bacon, ground beef, shredded chicken, cooked sausage or pulled pork, which add a savory depth to the dish. Is mac and cheese for dinner? Absolutely! Mac and cheese can be a satisfying main dish, especially when paired with sides like a protein or a salad.

Get More Info ›
What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

View More ›
Is milk or water better for mac and cheese? ›

Cooking macaroni in a small volume of water concentrates the starch from the pasta, helping the cheese form a creamy emulsion. Similar recipes call for cooking pasta in milk, which can scorch. Cooking in water and adding evaporated milk toward the end fixes this problem.

See More ›
What cheeses not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Feta has a high moisture level and doesn't melt properly, so it would clump rather than give you a smooth sauce. This also goes for cheeses like queso fresco and paneer.

Learn More ›
Why add cream cheese to mac and cheese? ›

While the cream cheese adds an important lusciousness, it doesn't do the macaroni and cheese any favors when it comes to its flavor, so it's important to use the sharpest, tangiest Cheddar you can get your hands on. For perfectly coated noodles, make sure to cook the pasta in the sauce for a minute or two.

Know More ›
What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

View Details ›
Who eats the most mac and cheese in the world? ›

Sure, Americans love their mac and cheese. But not as much as Canadians. In fact, Canadians love macaroni and cheese, and they love it more than anyone else in the world and consume the most macaroni and cheese per capita!

Show Me More ›

What 2 cheeses are best for mac and cheese? ›

7 Best Cheeses for Macaroni and Cheese
  • Cheddar. Cheddar is a staple for countless recipes. ...
  • Parmesan. Parmesan is a salty cheese with complex flavors. ...
  • Gruyere. Update your mac and cheese recipes to something more mature with Gruyere. ...
  • Brie. ...
  • Smoked Gouda. ...
  • Monterey Jack. ...
  • Fontina. ...
  • Sausage Mac and Cheese.

Continue Reading ›
What is best to add to mac and cheese? ›

Adding a little extra protein isn't a bad plan, either; chicken and broccoli are a great healthy combination that works exceptionally well with mac and cheese. If you prefer a quick mac and cheese cooked on the stovetop, we recommend stirring through some easy steamed broccoli.

Get More Info ›
What meat is best with cheese? ›

Next to your cheese, you'll want a spread of meats that include:
  • Whole-muscle cuts like coppa, prosciutto, bresaola, Jamón Ibérico, Jamón Serrano.
  • Forcemeats like chicken liver mousse, salmon rilletes, duck paté
  • Cured sausages like salami, speck, capicola, pepperoni, soppressata, chorizo, saucisson sec.

Continue Reading ›
How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

Discover More Details ›
What can I add to bland mac and cheese? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce.

Find Out More ›
What adds Flavour to mac and cheese? ›

Cayenne, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Dry Mustard

Simply add ½ teaspoons of cayenne, black pepper, and dry mustard with a dash of nutmeg to a mixture of 1 egg and 1 cup (0.24 l) of heavy cream. Pour this spice mixture on top of your traditional mac and cheese recipe before baking.

View Details ›

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