Are you looking for a fast, easy, and delicious dinner option that's also keto-friendly? Look no further! This keto stuffed sausage with cream cheese recipe is a no-brainer, perfect for busy weeknights when you haven't planned dinner. With just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in under an hour.
Why This Recipe Works
This stuffed sausage recipe is a lifesaver for those evenings when 5 pm rolls around and you haven't even thought about dinner. It's incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the fillings to your liking. Plus, it's a great way to incorporate more fat into your diet, which can help you feel fuller and more satisfied after eating. This recipe is inspired by sausage stuffed jalapeno recipes and elevates the flavors with a cheesy filling and a chipotle sauce.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe requires minimal ingredients, making it a convenient option for any night of the week. Here's what you'll need:
- Italian sausages: You'll want sausages with casings to hold the filling in while baking. Mild, hot, or even bratwurst will work. You can use pork, chicken, or veal sausage, depending on your preference.
- Mozzarella cheese sticks: String cheese sticks are the perfect size for stuffing into the sausages. You can also experiment with other cheese flavors like cheddar.
- Cream Cheese: The key creamy filling ingredient that helps blend everything else together.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite pasta sauce or a no-sugar-added marinara sauce from the jar. Tomato sauce can also be used if you don't have marinara on hand.
- Chipotle sauce: To make the chipotle sauce, you will need fire roasted tomatoes, garlic powder, oregano and chipotles.
- Cheddar Cheese: Fold in cheddar cheese with other ingredients to make a cheese mix.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning (optional). You may also want to have cumin, garlic powder and chili powder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this keto stuffed sausage is incredibly easy. Here's how to do it:
- Preheat your oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If you are making stuffed bell peppers, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the sausages: Cut a vertical slit down each sausage using kitchen scissors or a knife. Only go halfway through. Do not remove the casing.
- Stuff the sausages: Unwrap each cheese stick and stuff it into the slit of the sausages. Press the sausage back into its shape.
- Prepare the baking dish: Pour 1/4 cup marinara sauce or prepared chipotle sauce to the bottom of a square baking dish.
- Add the sausages: Place the stuffed sausages in the baking dish, casing side down.
- Top with sauce and seasoning: Top with remaining marinara sauce or add additional cheese on top of the sausages. Sprinkle on Italian seasoning if using.
- Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, or until the sausage is cooked through. If you are making stuffed bell peppers, bake the stuffed peppers for 25 minutes, until the cheese has melted. You can then broil them for 2 to 3 minutes to get the cheese crispy.
Variations and Add-Ins
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Add vegetables: Sauté some peppers and onions and add them to the sausage filling.
- Use different cheeses: Experiment with different cheese flavors in the filling, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage for an extra kick.
- Try different sauces: Use tomato sauce if you don't have marinara sauce.
- Make stuffed peppers: Cut the bell peppers in half and remove stems and seeds. Place the bell pepper halves cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. While the bell peppers are baking, heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken sausage to the skillet with the onions and cook until browned. While the chicken sausage is cooling, mix the cream cheese and 2 cups of shredded cheddar together using an electric mixer until well combined. Fill the bell pepper halves with the cream cheese and chicken sausage mixture. Bake the stuffed peppers for 25 minutes, until the cheese has melted. You can then broil them for 2 to 3 minutes to get the cheese crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Once your stuffed sausages are baked, you can serve them alongside a variety of dishes. Some popular options include:
- Noodles
- Asparagus
- A simple salad
- Southwestern pre-mixed salad
- Sticky rice
Storage Information
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a covered container.
- Freeze: You can freeze the sausages before baking, tightly wrapped, for 1-2 months. It is not recommended freezing these sausages after it has been cooked because the cream cheese will lose its creamy texture when defrosted.
FAQs
Can I use hot dogs instead?
Yes! Although you may not want to add the marinara sauce. And try using a cheddar cheese stick instead.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely, you can double this recipe. Just use 10 sausages and 10 cheese sticks. You will need to add a little extra marinara sauce as well.
Is this stuffed sausage recipe keto?
Yes, stuffed Italian sausages are keto. All of the components are keto from the sausages, string cheese and marinara. There are 2.8 g net carbs per sausage link so you can have 1-2 per meal.
Other Sausage Dishes to Try
If you love sausage, here are a few other delicious recipes to explore:
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
- Sausage Queso Dip
- Sausage Soup
- Bangers Mash With Stout Gravy
- Pork Meatballs With Orange Sauce
- Rustic Harvest Stew
- Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Rice Skillet
- Shrimp and Sausage Skillet Meal
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto