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

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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)

4.70 from 281 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

Polyunsaturated Fat

3

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

%

Vitamin C

57

mg

69

%

Calcium

78

mg

8

%

* 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)Shirley

    Can you use half hamburger/half mild sausage for this recipe for meat content?

    Reply

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

      Absolutely! It's a great idea!

      Reply

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

    Does dried macaroni mean uncooked?

    Reply

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

      Yes, correct! Uncooked elbow macaroni.

      Reply

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

    How much water do you add?

    Reply

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

      Recipe says 18 ounces of water

      Reply

      • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (14)Julia

        Yes, correct. 18 oz of water.

        Reply

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

    Turkey sausage works very well with this , we have this at least once a week. Great meal

    Reply

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

      So happy to hear that, Pamela! Using turkey sausage is a great idea!

      Reply

  5. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (17)Brendan Naiker

    Hi Julia ,please could you tell what is half and half ,thank you

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (18)Julia

      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).

      Reply

  6. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (19)Ashley Edenfield

    This is an every other week staple for me and my husband. This is absolutely my most favorite recipe found on Pinterest.

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (20)Julia

      Wow, Ashley, your comment made my day! 🙂 Thank you! So glad you came over to my site and left such a kind comment! 🙂

      Reply

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

      How much water did you use?

      Reply

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

    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.

    Reply

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

      So glad your family liked this dish! Turkey sausage sounds delicious in this recipe.

      Reply

  8. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (24)Dana

    Wil this recipe work in Colorado be because of the high altitudes? Do I need to make any changes to it?

    Reply

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

      Yes, this recipe will work as is at high altitudes.

      Reply

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

    Very easy, very good. Well done. Thank you

    Reply

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

      You're very welcome! Glad you liked it!

      Reply

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

    This recipe is my weekly go to. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

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

      You're very welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply

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

    Shouldn't the pictures of your food match the list of ingredients in your recipe? Recipe calls for red AND green peppers, yet I see no green peppers. I do see green onions, but that is not listed in the recipe at all.

    Reply

  12. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (31)Sarah

    I added diced onions and swapped the sausage for Italian ground turkey then I used heavy cream in place of half and half and it is super yummy! Love how easy it is to tweak and customize! The whole family loves it!

    Reply

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

      Thank you! I am so glad your family enjoys this recipe! Ground turkey sounds delicious in this recipe!

      Reply

  13. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (33)Abbie

    I ate entirely too much of this! This was absolutely amazing as is, I made no adjustments at all! My husband raves and raves about this dinner and is his “new favorite” which is a huge deal for a man who loves all food! Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (34)Julia

      You are very welcome! So happy to hear both you and your husband enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  14. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (35)Debby Maggio

    I would love to see more of your recipes!

    Reply

  15. Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (36)Karen Hindman

    Thank you for sharing your recipe. I used my homemade marinara and it was delicious!

    Reply

    • Mac and Cheese with Sausage and Bell Peppers (30-Minute, One-Pan Recipe) (37)Julia

      Happy to hear that! 🙂

      Reply

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