Ingredients
1.5 lb. Italian Beef Sausage links , about 1/4 to 1/3 lb. each
2/3 cup marinara sauce , no sugar added
1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese , or 1 mozzarella cheese stick per sausage link
Optional Ingredients
3 zucchini spiralized
1 medium spaghetti squash cooked
1/4 cup diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms
1/4 cup fresh basil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400° F.
Meanwhile, use a sharp paring knife or kitchen shears to slice each sausage link from end to end, about halfway through. Be careful not to slice all the way through to the cutting board.
Use your hands to carefully open each sausage along the cut, then fill the sliced sausages with a piece of mozzarella cheese. Press it in gently, then press the sides of the sausage back together to form its original shape, as best you can.
Pour the sauce into a baking dish, using a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. Transfer the prepared sausages to the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
While the sausage is cooking, prepare the zucchini noodles or any other side dishes you might be making.
Remove the baking dish from the oven, and pull the foil off the baking dish. Test the internal temperature of the sausages in a few places.
Allow the dish to cool slightly, then use a spatula to transfer the sausages to a plate. Sprinkle with pepper, fresh basil, and serve with your favorite sides.
Adapted from cookathomemom.com