Italian Vegetable and Sausage Bake
Savor the charming flavors of Italy with this hearty Italian Vegetable and Sausage Bake. This delightful casserole brings together the sweetness of Italian sausage, the freshness of garden vegetables, and the rich taste of tomatoes, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this dish captures the essence of a warm Italian kitchen. Let each bite transport you to a sun-drenched piazza, as the aroma of herbs fills your home. Quick to prepare and comforting to the soul, it's an ideal choice for a cozy evening.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
5 tablespoons (none)
sweet Italian sausage
8 ounces (casings removed)
diced eggplant
1 cup (1/2-inch cubes)
diced zucchini
1 cup (1/2-inch cubes)
diced bell pepper
1 cup (1/2-inch cubes, red or green)
chopped onion
1/4 cup (none)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Italian plum tomatoes
28 ounces (drained and chopped)
chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (none)
chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons (none)
cayenne or black pepper
to taste (none)
grated mozzarella cheese
2 ounces (none)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Italian Vegetable and Sausage Bake?
It is a hearty casserole that combines sweet Italian sausage, garden vegetables like eggplant and zucchini, and rich plum tomatoes, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of sweet Italian sausage with the casings removed.
What vegetables are included in this bake?
The primary vegetables used are diced eggplant, diced zucchini, and diced red or green bell peppers.
How should the eggplant and zucchini be prepared?
Both the eggplant and zucchini should be diced into 1/2-inch cubes.
What kind of tomatoes are best for this dish?
The recipe specifies using 28 ounces of Italian plum tomatoes, which should be drained and chopped.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.
Does the recipe use fresh herbs?
Yes, it uses 2 tablespoons each of chopped fresh parsley and chopped fresh basil leaves.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 garlic cloves, which should be minced.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The dish is topped with 2 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese.
Is the Italian Vegetable and Sausage Bake spicy?
The heat level is adjustable as it uses cayenne or black pepper to taste, though the base sausage is sweet Italian.
How should the bell peppers be cut?
The red or green bell peppers should be diced into 1/2-inch cubes.
Do I need to remove the sausage from its casing?
Yes, the recipe requires the casings to be removed before cooking.
Does the recipe contain onions?
Yes, it includes 1/4 cup of chopped onion.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients used in this Italian bake.
Is this a good recipe for families?
Yes, it is described as a perfect choice for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
What is the prep time like for this dish?
The description mentions that the dish is quick to prepare and ideal for a cozy evening.
Can I use red or green bell peppers?
Yes, you can use 1 cup of either red or green bell peppers, diced into cubes.
What is the flavor profile of this bake?
It offers a blend of sweet sausage, fresh garden vegetables, and aromatic herbs like basil and parsley.
What is the recommended size for dicing the vegetables?
To ensure even cooking, the eggplant, zucchini, and peppers should all be diced into 1/2-inch cubes.
Is this considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and is designed to be soul-warming and hearty.
What type of oil is used?
Extra virgin olive oil is used to provide an authentic Italian flavor.
How much mozzarella cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese.
Can I substitute the pepper?
The recipe allows for either cayenne or black pepper to be used according to your taste preference.
What is the main aromatic base for the dish?
The aromatic base consists of chopped onion and minced garlic cloves.
Is this an oven-baked dish?
Yes, it is categorized as an oven dish and a vegetable bake.
Should the tomatoes be drained?
Yes, the Italian plum tomatoes should be drained and then chopped before being added.
What is the texture of the mozzarella?
The mozzarella is intended to be melted over the top of the vegetables and sausage.
How much eggplant and zucchini do I need?
You will need 1 cup of diced eggplant and 1 cup of diced zucchini.
Is the sausage pre-cooked?
The recipe uses raw sweet Italian sausage with casings removed, which cooks during the baking process.
What makes this dish authentic to Italy?
The use of Italian sausage, plum tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil captures the essence of a warm Italian kitchen.