Polenta Casserole With Sauteed Bell Peppers And Sausage - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (24 ounce) package ready-cooked polenta (or more if you want a thicker layer of polenta)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips
1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
salt
1 1/2 lbs sweet Italian sausage, removed from its casing
6 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves (or about 2/3 teaspoon dried)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
ground black pepper
2 ounces asiago cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves

Preparation

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice the polenta in half-inch slices and cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Press together to make one layer.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers, onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until peppers are soft, about 5 minutes. Add sausage and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes, cook about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes and juice; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Take off heat and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spread sausage mixture evenly over the polenta and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in middle rack of oven until the polenta is heated through, about 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. Serves 6 to 8.