This Italian Sausage Casserole is delicious and loaded with flavors from meat, herbs, and vegetables! A healthy and yummy option for those in a gluten-free and low-carb diet, too! Perfect winter comfort food.
3poundsabout 10-12 pieces good quality Italian Sausages, left whole or sliced into bite-sized pieces if preferred
4tbspolive oil
1large onion,peeled and chopped
4clovesgarlic,peeled and sliced
10ozmushroomssliced
1/2cupdry red wine,use gluten-free or wheat-free wine if on that diet
8ozcooking spinachfresh or frozen (if frozen, defrost and drain well)
2cupsunsalted crushed tomatoes,fresh or canned
3fresh sprigs of rosemary,(or 1-2 teaspoons dried or to taste)
2dried bay leaves
handful of fresh basil,(optional but encouraged!
salt and pepper (to taste), and a little (about 1 tsp) brown sugar, for seasoning (sugar is optional and maybe left-out if doing low-carb)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe casserole (like a cast iron or Dutch oven) and brown the sausages (whole or sliced). Transfer the sausages to a plate.
In the same pan, saute the onions and garlic for a couple of minutes. Pour in the red wine and deglaze the pan, scraping the brown bits on the bottom of the casserole dish. Add the fresh or frozen spinach and cook until wilted. Turn off the heat.
Add the mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, rosemary and bay leaves. Season with a little salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the sausages back to the casserole dish. Give a quick stir. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes.
If using fresh basil, simply stir them into the casserole. To enhance the flavor some more stir in a teaspoon or 2 of sugar. The last step is optional, especially if doing a low-carb diet. Enjoy over pasta or rice!
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