20 Italian Sausage Recipes You'll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight
Whether sweet or spicy, Italian sausage is key to pizza, casseroles, pasta, stuffed peppers, and more.
Whether sweet or spicy, Italian sausage is a fast track to flavor. And if you think of it as ground pork with spices, the range of possibilities blows wide open. Burgers? Sure. Sauce ingredient? Why not. Nachos topper? Absolutely. Our recipes cover every meal of the day and a variety of dishes, so you're sure to find something to tempt your palate.
Many of these recipes call for removing the sausage casing and crumbling the meat. It's easy to do: just use a small knife to cut a slit lengthwise down the sausage (it doesn't have to be a deep cut; just enough to cut through the casing). Next, peel back the casing, and the sausage meat will roll right out. You can then crumble it with your fingers or break it up with a wooden spoon as it's cooking.
Related: Our Guide to Spicy Pork Sausages, From Andouille to Hot Italian
Sausage-and-Mushroom Burgers With Broccoli Rabe
Sweet Italian sausage transforms into savory burgers in this easy recipe. Sautéed broccoli rabe and provolone cheese offer a great counterpoint to the rich patties.
Orecchiette With Sausage, Chard, and Parsnips
Sausage is a popular pairing for this ear-shaped pasta. And while recipes often call for the addition of broccoli, this one has you use chard and parsnips for an unexpected (and delicious) twist.
Sausage-and-Pepper Ragu Over Polenta
Although this beautiful melange of Italian sausage and bell peppers would be terrific over any starch, creamy polenta is divine. The quick-cooking grain does an incredible job of soaking up all the deliciousness.
Sausage and Swiss Chard Strata
Day-old baguette is the key to this tasty dish that makes a delectable breakfast for dinner. The bread absorbs the milk and eggs, turning soft and custardy. The other stars here are sweet or spicy Italian sausage, Swiss chard, and Gruyère.
Sausage and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Although this tasty meal makes great use of summer produce (zucchini and bell peppers), you can definitely make it year-round. It's a nice addition to a buffet, offering each guest their own tidy portion.
Sweet Potato-Sausage Soup
This comforting soup includes sweet Italian sausage, diced sweet potatoes, small pasta shells, and roughly chopped greens (kale or Swiss chard would work well). It's easy to make and would make a lovely meal on a chilly night.
Sausage-Potato Quiche
You can serve this versatile and filling quiche warm or at room temperature, and it works equally well as a breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner item. In the morning, plate it with a fruit salad; later in the day, some greens would be the perfect accompaniment.
Sausage, Mushroom, and Pickled-Pepper Pizza
This pan pizza includes the usual marinara sauce and mozzarella but then gets a kick from sweet Italian sausage, shiitake mushrooms, thin slices of red onion, pickled cherry or Peppadew peppers, and fresh basil leaves.
Baked Rigatoni With Sausage
A symphony of flavors come together in this pasta bake: sweet butternut squash and cherry tomatoes, spicy Italian sausage, oozy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
Tomato and Sausage Risotto
Although most risotto recipes are meatless, this one calls for sweet or hot Italian sausage, which gives it plenty of heft and rich, hearty flavor.
Roasted Sausages With Cabbage and Squash
We love a sheet pan dinner, and this fall-themed one is no exception. It combines sweet Italian sausage with cabbage and creamy kabocha squash, all dressed in a Dijon-apple cider dressing.
Sausage, Chicken, and White-Bean Gratin
This streamlined version of classic cassoulet calls for chicken breast, sweet Italian sausage, and bacon instead of the usual pork and duck confit. And it serves 12, making it a great option for a big gathering.
Baked Polenta With Sausage and Artichoke Hearts
Similar to the way you'd stack slices of tomato and mozzarella in a Caprese salad, this creative recipe has you alternate slices of polenta with browned sausage. It's a nice option for a potluck, as the polenta slices make it easy for people to take as many as they want.
Gnocchi With Sausage, Zucchini, and Tomato
Sweet Italian sausage and store-bought gnocchi and pesto are the smart shortcuts in this satisfying weeknight supper, which also incorporates fresh zucchini and tomatoes.
Sausage Meat Sauce
You can serve this hefty sauce over spaghetti, rigatoni, or any pasta you like—and the great part is that the recipe makes enough for two meals, so you can freeze half for another night.
Rigatoni With Broccoli and Sausage
Lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped anchovies elevate this familiar dish, bringing brightness and depth of flavor.
One-Pot Chicken With Sausage and Potatoes
This homey dish is a godsend on nights when you want a low-effort, homemade meal. It's a winning combo of sweet Italian sausage, chicken breasts on the bone, onion, potatoes, and celery.
Spicy Sausage, Bean, and Cheese Nachos
Nachos often star ground beef or even chicken, but it's unusual to see them with sausage. It makes sense, though, as flavorful sausage adds a quick boost of flavor that goes well with beans, cheese, and the other usual nacho players.
Tomato-Sausage Lasagna
Sausage may not be expected in lasagna, as you usually see it with ground beef or vegetarian, but it works wonderfully in the classic layered dish. Browning it first helps bring even more delicious flavor.
Beer-Braised Sausages With Warm Potato Salad
This traditional dinner is a great reminder that simple can be spectacular. Sweet Italian sausage, potatoes, onion, and a bottle of beer simmer into a comforting and tasty one-pot meal.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
