10+ Sausage Recipes to Spice Up Your Meal Time

Sausage adds flavor and protein to many meals. You can choose spicy, mild, or smoked varieties and find plenty of ways to enjoy sausage.

You can find simple recipes that fit your tastes and skill level. Sausage recipes often use common ingredients and easy steps, helping you put together a tasty dish quickly.

1) Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions

This classic Italian sausage dish is simple and tasty. Cook the sausage until browned, then add sliced onions and peppers.

The onions soften and add sweetness. The peppers bring color and flavor.

You can cook everything in one pan for easy cleanup. This mixture works great as a sandwich filling or served with pasta.

Adding garlic and herbs can boost the taste. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

For more details, check out this Italian Sausage, Peppers, and Onions Recipe.

Ingredients

• Italian sausage links
• Green, red, or yellow bell peppers, sliced
• Onion, sliced
• Garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove sausage and add onions to the pan. Cook until soft.
4. Add peppers and garlic, cook until peppers are tender.
5. Return sausage to pan and heat through.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

2) Smoked Kielbasa and Potato Skillet

This smoked kielbasa and potato skillet is a simple meal you can make any night. It cooks quickly in one pan and has a nice mix of smoky sausage and crispy potatoes.

You’ll get flavor from onions and bell peppers too. Use baby red potatoes to save time since they cook faster.

The kielbasa adds a bit of spice, but you can adjust the heat with seasonings. This is a great recipe when you want something easy and filling.

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced
• 1.5 pounds baby red potatoes, halved
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add potatoes and cook about 10 minutes until they start to brown.
3. Stir in onions and bell peppers, cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add sliced kielbasa and paprika; cook 5-7 more minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes are tender and sausage is heated through.
6. Serve warm.

3) Chorizo and Bell Pepper Rice

This dish is simple and full of flavor. Start by cooking spicy chorizo, which adds a smoky taste.

Add diced bell peppers and onions to make it colorful and fresh. Next, mix in rice and chicken broth.

The rice soaks up the broth and joins the flavors together. This meal cooks quickly and works well for any day of the week.

You can enjoy it on its own or with a side of crusty bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chorizo
• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown the chorizo in a pan over medium heat until cooked.
2. Add the onions and bell peppers; cook until soft.
3. Stir in the rice, then pour in the chicken broth.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover.
5. Simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
6. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm.

4) Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet

This Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet is a simple, tasty meal for any night. It combines spicy sausage with tender rice and colorful veggies like bell peppers and onions.

You’ll get smoky flavor without a lot of effort. It all cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is easy.

The dish simmers with tomatoes and broth, making the rice flavorful and soft. It’s ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spicy andouille sausage, sliced or crumbled
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook sausage until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté until soft.
4. Stir in rice, diced tomatoes, broth, and Cajun seasoning.
5. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 20 minutes or until rice is done.
6. Fluff rice and serve warm.

Find more details on Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet recipes.

5) Homemade Pork Sausage

Making your own pork sausage is easy and lets you control the flavors. Start with ground pork and add spices like sage, thyme, and red pepper flakes.

You can shape the sausage into patties or keep it loose for breakfast dishes. Fresh homemade sausage cooks quickly in a pan over medium heat.

Cook until the sausage is no longer pink inside, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safety.

You can adjust the spices to match your taste. Try adding a bit of brown sugar for sweetness or crushed red pepper if you like some heat.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients well in a bowl.
2. Form the mixture into patties or leave loose.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook sausage for 5-7 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
5. Check that the inside temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
6. Remove from heat and serve.

Find more tips on making pork sausage at RecipeTin Eats.

6) Venison Sausage with Herbs

Venison is a lean meat, so add fat to keep your sausage juicy. Pork fat or fatback works well.

Herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley add a fresh, earthy flavor. Garlic and black pepper bring some bite to the sausage.

You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Mix everything well, then form into patties or stuff into casings.

Cook slowly over medium heat so the sausage stays tender.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs venison, trimmed
• 1 lb pork fatback
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop and mix venison and fatback evenly with herbs and spices.
2. Form mixture into patties or stuff into casings.
3. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning often.
4. Internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for safe eating.

7) Sausage and Apple Stuffed Mushrooms

Sausage and apple stuffed mushrooms make a tasty appetizer or snack. The mix of savory sausage and sweet apples adds flavor to the mushrooms.

You’ll also get a little crunch from onions and a cheesy touch from Parmesan. Start with baby Bella mushrooms, then cook the sausage and apples together.

This filling goes inside the mushroom caps for a bite-sized treat. You can make these ahead and warm them before serving.

Ingredients

• 20 baby Bella mushrooms
• 2 Italian sausages, cooked and crumbled
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Set caps aside.
3. Heat olive oil, cook onion and garlic until soft. Add apples and sausage; cook 3-4 minutes.
4. Mix in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Spoon filling into mushroom caps.
6. Place mushrooms on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and tops are golden.

8) Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Shrimp and sausage gumbo is a comforting stew with rich flavors. It starts with a dark roux, which gives the dish its deep color and taste.

Add sausage and shrimp for a mix of meaty and seafood flavors. The dish usually includes vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and celery.

Cook it slowly to let all the flavors blend well. Serve your gumbo hot over rice for a classic meal.

You can adjust the spice level to your taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup canola oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked white rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil over medium and whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook, stirring, until dark brown (about 20 minutes).
2. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook until tender.
3. Stir in sausage and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 5 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over rice.

9) Sausage and Creamy Potato Bake

This sausage and creamy potato bake is a simple dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal. You’ll get tender potatoes mixed with flavorful sausage in a creamy sauce.

Slice potatoes and sausage, then layer them with onion and a creamy mixture. Bake until the potatoes turn soft and soak up the sausage flavors.

Serve this bake with a side salad or steamed veggies. For more details, check a creamy sausage and potato bake recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
• 4 cups potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Layer half the potatoes in a baking dish.
3. Add half the sausage and onions on top.
4. Spread half of the cream soup over the layers.
5. Repeat the layers once more.
6. Cover dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
7. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
8. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

10) Sausage-Stuffed Fried Olives

Sausage-stuffed fried olives are a tasty and crispy treat. You stuff green olives with a sausage mix, then fry them until golden brown.

The outside turns crunchy while the inside stays juicy and savory. This dish works well as an appetizer or snack.

Serve with a squeeze of lemon or a garlic sour cream dip for extra flavor. You can use mild or spicy sausage to match your taste.

Remove olive pits and fill each olive with sausage before frying.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds mild or spicy Italian pork sausage, casings removed
• 30 large green pitted olives
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Garlic sour cream dip (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Stuff the olives with sausage.

2. Press the olive halves together tightly.

3. Set up a dredging station.

4. Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko in a third bowl.

5. Coat each stuffed olive in flour.

6. Dip them in the egg, then roll in panko.

7. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or heavy pot.

8. Fry the olives until they turn golden brown and the sausage inside is cooked, about 3 minutes.

9. Drain the olives on paper towels.

10. Serve warm with lemon or your favorite dip.

For more on this recipe, check out this fried sausage stuffed olives guide.