Description
These Cheesy Stuffed Italian Sausages are a delicious and satisfying appetizer or main dish featuring juicy Italian sausages filled with a blend of mozzarella, cream cheese, and Italian seasonings, baked to perfection and served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 8 Italian sausages
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Topping and Serving
- Parmesan cheese, for topping (approx. 1/4 cup)
- Marinara sauce, for serving (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the sausages evenly.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated into a creamy mixture.
- Prepare Sausages: Take each Italian sausage and carefully make a lengthwise slit down the center but do not cut all the way through, creating a pocket for the cheese filling.
- Stuff Sausages: Spoon the prepared cheese mixture into each sausage pocket, filling them generously but carefully to avoid overflow.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the stuffed sausages in a baking dish in a single layer, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the stuffed sausages to add a flavorful crust as they bake.
- Bake: Bake the sausages in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sausages are fully cooked through and the cheese filling is melted and bubbly with a golden top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the cheesy stuffed Italian sausages hot, accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful and cheesy dish!
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausages depending on your taste preference.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to blend easily with the other cheeses and spices.
- For extra crispiness, broil the sausages for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the sausages and marinara sauce are certified gluten-free.
