Easy Stuffed Italian Sausage Casserole
Easy Stuffed Italian Sausage Casserole is a comforting Italian sausage casserole recipe made with juicy sausages, mozzarella, onions, and marinara, delivering one-dish baking, melty cheesy filling, and family-friendly comfort flavor. The sausages are browned, stuffed with mozzarella, and baked in marinara sauce with sautéed onions until bubbling and rich, creating a hearty dinner that feels like classic Italian comfort food.
Servings: 6
Calories: 713kcal
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
- Foil
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp Knife
Ingredients
- 8 Italian sausages mild or spicy, depending on preference
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded or cut into sticks for stuffing
- 3 cups homemade marinara sauce or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- ¼ cup dry red or white wine for deglazing
- fresh basil for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch Oven over medium heat. Season the Italian sausages lightly with salt and pepper, then sear them on all sides until browned, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer the sausages to a plate and set aside.
- Pour the wine into the same skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add the sliced onion and cook in the wine reduction for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Spread the sautéed onions, garlic, and wine reduction evenly across the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a lengthwise slit in each sausage without cutting all the way through. Stuff each sausage with mozzarella cheese and arrange them on top of the onion mixture.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning evenly over the sausages. Pour the marinara sauce over the entire dish, coating the sausages and onions.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmigiano Reggiano evenly over the top. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10–15 minutes, until the sausages reach 165°F internally and the sauce is bubbling.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or an extra sprinkle of Italian seasoning, if desired.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
Searing the sausages first helps lock in flavor before baking. Deglazing the skillet with wine also adds depth to the sauce that bakes into the casserole.
Tips for Best Results
- Brown the sausages well before baking to build flavor.
- Use thick marinara sauce so the casserole stays rich instead of watery.
- Slice the sausage carefully so the mozzarella stays tucked inside.
- Let the casserole rest briefly after baking so the sauce settles.
Nutrition
Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1977mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 825IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 3mg
