Best Sweet Italian Sausage Recipes

HOMEMADE SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE (MILD OR HOT)

Steps:

• Place the pork and red wine vinegar in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, paprika, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Knead until flecks of spice are evenly distributed through the sausage.
• Divide the sausage into thirds, and form into 3 logs; wrap each in plastic wrap. Place wrapped sausage into a freezer bag before freezing, or store in refrigerator for at least 12 hours before cooking.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Boil the water and cook the penne according to package directions. DO NOT ever add oil to the water! It will make your sauce slide off the pasta later.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil (medium-high heat) in a large skillet and saute the broccoli, sausage and garlic until tender and starting to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Toss the butter, hot pasta, sausage mixture and romano cheese together and serve. Pass the grated cheese at the table.

SWEET ITALIAN CHICKEN SAUSAGE PATTIES

Steps:

• Mix chicken with garlic, parsley, cheese, fennel seeds, pepper, and salt. Form 6 large, thin patties, 4 to 5 inches, or 12 small patties, 2 to 3 inches. Preheat a large, nonstick skillet and fry sausage in extra-virgin olive oil, 3 or 4 minutes on each side over medium to medium- high heat.

SAUTEED POLENTA WITH SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• On a lightly oiled baking sheet spread warm polenta about 3/4 thick and cool to room temperature. Polenta may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.
• In a large non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown sausage. Add water and cook sausage, covered, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove lid and cook mixture until any remaining water is evaporated. Transfer sausage with tongs to a bowl and reserve fat remaining in skillet. Cool sausage slightly and slice diagonally.
• Cut polenta into 1 1/2-inch diamond shapes or squares. In skillet sauté polenta in 2 batches in reserved fat over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, adding additional oil to skillet if necessary, until golden on both sides. Transfer polenta as cooked with a slotted spoon to bowl with sausage and cover.
• In skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté broccoli rabe with salt to taste, stirring, until just wilted. Add garlic paste and sauté, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, stirring, until tomato paste is incorporated and sauce is slightly thickened. Add sausage and polenta and cook until heated through.
• Serve polenta sprinkled with Parmesan.
• To make basic polenta:
• In a heavy saucepan bring water and salt to a boil and gradually whisk in cornmeal in a thin stream. Cook polenta over moderately low heat (it should be barely boiling), stirring constantly, until very thick and pulls away from side of pan, about 40 minutes for cornmeal and about 15 minutes for instant polenta. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm. Stir polenta just before using. Polenta will keep warm, covered, about 20 minutes. Makes about 3 cups.
• Note: In the traditional method of cooking polenta, forty minutes of constant stirring is required to achieve a lumpless texture and fragrant flavor. However, Italian-food expert Marcella Hazan has developed a method that involves very little stirring during this time. We believe it produces a very good polenta, one nearly as flavorful and smooth as the traditional procedure. To make satisfactory polenta in a real hurry, an imported instant polenta (precooked cornmeal) is available. This cooks in a mere fifteen minutes.

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PEPPER AND ONION QUESADILLA WITH SWEET 100 TOMATO RELISH

Steps:

• Preheat grill to high. Grill the sausages until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove, let rest for 5 minutes and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. Lay 8 of the tortillas on a work surface. Divide the cheeses, sausage, onion peppers, garlic and parsley among them. Stack to make 4 and top with the remaining 4 tortillas. Brush the tops with the olive oil and grill for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Brush with more oil, turn over and continue grilling until golden brown and the cheese melts. Remove the quesadilla, quarter and top with the relish.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

BEANS AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Put the olive oil and garlic in a heavy saucepan that will hold the sausage in a single layer.
• Place it over medium-high heat and saute the garlic cloves until lightly browned on all sides.
• While garlic is browning, coarsely chop the fresh sage.
• When the garlic has browned, discard it.
• Add the sage to the pan and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and beans.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the sausage.
• When tomatoes begin to bubble, turn the heat down to medium-low.
• Cover the pan and cook at a gentle simmer until the sausages feel tender when pricked with a fork, about 20 minutes.
• Check the pan occasionally and add a little water if all the liquid evaporates before the sausages are done.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil on medium-high heat in a large dutch oven.
• Add half of italian sausage and saute until golden brown.
• Remove cooked sausage and repeat with remaining sausage.
• Remove all sausage and set aside.
• Add chopped onions and minced garlic to pot. Turn heat to medium low and saute 5 minutes.
• Add tomato paste and saute until onions develop nice golden color. Stir frequently and WATCH CAREFULLY to make sure the tomato paste doesn't burn.
• Once the onions are golden, add the wine and stir, incorporating all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add all remaining ingredients and browned sausage to pot and stir well.
• Turn heat to medium low and simmer 45 minutes.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE PENNE PASTA WITH TOMATOES AND PEAS AND SWEET CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan cook the sausage until almost finished and remove from the saucepan. To the saucepan add 1/4 cup of olive oil and heat. Then add 1 cup of onions, oregano and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Then add 6 cups of tomatoes, parsley and 1/4 cup of basil. Simmer for 5 minutes than add back to the sausage and simmer for 10 minutes then add the peas. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Toss pasta with the sausage, add 1/2 cup of basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut the kernels off the ears of corn and in a large bowl mix the corn with, remaining onion, 6 chopped tomatoes, basil and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. How to Make them: Mix the first six ingredients together thoroughly. Shape the hamburger mixture into 1/2 to 3/4" thick patties. Grill the burgers to an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve on grilled hamburger buns or ciabatta rolls with garlic-basil mayonnaise.
• 2. Garlic-Basil Mayonnaise This flavorful mayonnaise is perfect for Italian burgers. It can also be used in sandwiches and burgers - anywhere you'd like a little kick in your mayonnaise. You can make the mayonnaise fresh (below), or simply mix minced garlic and minced basil into regular mayonnaise.
• 3. How to Make it Place all of the ingredients except for the olive oil in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal cutting blade. Process until everything is well blended and the garlic and basil are finely minced. While running the processor constantly, drizzle the olive oil into the processor - first a few drops at a time and then in a slow, steady stream as the mayonnaise starts to emulsify. To save the mayonnaise, store it tightly covered in the refrigerator. The mayonnaise will keep for four to five days in the refrigerator. Enjoy Good Food

FETTUCCINE AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH LIGHT ALFREDO SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Cook sausage in large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Return to skillet. Add pasta and sauce; heat through. Top with cheese.

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH SWEET 'N SOUR PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small non-stick skillet cook and stir almonds for 1-2 minutes, or until golden. Stir in raisins and remove from heat. Let stand for 1 minute. Carefully stir in vinegar, sugar, salt and black pepper. Return to medium-low heat, cook and stir just until sugar is dissolved, 2 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl combine red and green peppers and onion wedges. Drizzle with oil; toss gently to coat. Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Grill sausages and vegetables uncovered for 10-15 minutes until sausages are firm, no longer pink inside and juices run clear (180 degrees F),and vegetables are tender, turning at least once halfway through grilling. While sausages and vegetables are grilling, brush slices of polenta with Italian dressing and grill about 2 minutes on each side allowing enough time for the slices to become toasted and golden. Return the grilled vegetables to the large bowl, add the almond mixture; toss gently to coat. Arrange the sausages on a large platter with the grilled polenta and the sweet and sour peppers.

SWEET ITALIAN FENNEL SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the pork, curing salt, black pepper, fennel seeds, garlic, sugar and cayenne pepper. Mix to make sure seasonings are well distributed throughout the pork. Freeze for 30 minutes.
• To prepare the forcemeat, pass the mixture through a meat grinder using the large hole plate. Transfer to an electric mixer, using the paddle on the lowest speed, and mix for 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and slowly add the stock and mix for 2 minutes. Switch to high speed and mix for 30 seconds.
• To form the sausages, place about a cup of forcemeat in a 12 by 16-inch piece of plastic wrap. Shape into a 1 1/2 by 8-inch sausage and wrap with the plastic to a tight roll. Tie both ends by forming a knot. Wrap again in aluminum foil. Repeat the process until all forcemeat is used.
• In a large saute pan bring court bouillon to a simmer. Poach the prepared sausages for 10 minutes or until firm to the touch. Allow to cool and unwrap sausages. In a cast iron pan, over high heat, saute the sausages in olive oil until nicely browned. Slice and serve with honey mustard and minced onion.

GRILLED FOCACCIA WITH MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA, SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Begin by making the dough so it has time to rest and rise. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a mixer, turn the mixer on low, add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and let it go until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 5 minutes. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the sausages from sticking. Grill the sausages until cooked through, turning with tongs. Set aside. Keep the grill hot to make the pizza. Roll or pat the dough into a rustic, oblong shape, about 1/4-inch thick - do this directly on a lightly floured pizza paddle for ease. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and lay oil side down onto the hot grill. Once the dough looks set, in about 2 minutes, turn the crust over.
• Now prepare the topping. Cut up the tomatoes and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic and basil. Crumble in the sausage. Rip the mozzarella into pieces with your hands and add that too along with some extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, add the salad mix and toss to combine.
• Once the crust is set and cooked, transfer it to a platter. Scoop up the salad mix in your hands and spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with a good dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

HOT AND SWEET GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill sausages, bell peppers, and onion, turning occasionally until nicely charred, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer sausages and vegetables to a baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Combine mozzarella cheese, salad dressing, banana peppers, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, and the grilled onions in a bowl. Remove grilled bell pepper tops and slice into strips; add to mixture. Plate sausage and top with the pepper mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI RABE, CLAMS AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• 1. Set a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil.
• 2. Take another large saucepan (big enough to hold clams) and set over medium heat. Add a 2-count of olive oil and loose pork sausage. Cook over medium heat to render fat and get color on the sausage. Once the sausage is browned on all sides, remove and place onto a paper towel-lined plate. To the same pan, add the chopped garlic, red chili flakes and thyme leaves and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Turn up the heat, dump in the cleaned and scrubbed clams and white wine. Cover with a lid and steam for about 10 minutes until the clams open.
• 3. While clams are steaming, cook the pasta. Add orecchiette to boiling water and cook. With about 3 minutes left, add the broccoli rabe to the same pot and cook until tender. Drain pasta and broccoli and place into the saucepan with the browned sausage. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Place into a large serving bowl.
• 4. Now return to the clams. Remove the lid and add the cubes of cold butter and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil as you stir. Once the sauce thickens slightly give it a final seasoning with pepper and a little salt (go easy on the salt) then take the whole pan and pour on top of the orecchiette and broccoli rabe. Shower with fresh Parmesan and parsley.

FETTUCCINE AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE ALFREDO

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Brown sausage in large skillet over medium heat; drain.
• Return to skillet; add pasta and sauce; heat through.
• Top with cheese.

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE RAGOUT WITH LINGUINE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage in batches until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate while cooking the remaining sausage. Return all the sausage to the Dutch oven, and add the onion and garlic. Cook and stir until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the red and green bell peppers. Cook until the peppers are tender, 7 to 10 more minutes.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, red wine, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
• While sauce is simmering, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the linguine, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink. Serve the sauce over the linguine.

PASTA WITH BELL PEPPERS, PESTO AND SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Remove casing from sausage links. Heat skillet, and add links. Break up meat while cooking (like ground beef consistancy) Cook until nicely browned.
• Place on paper plate with paper towel to soak up extra grease. Place aside until needed.
• Wash tomatoes and slice up into workable size. Place in food processor.
• Peel garlic cloves and place in processor with tomatoes.
• Cut lemon in half, squeeze juice from one half on top of tomatoes and garlic on food processor.
• Wash basil and cilantro. Place herbs in food processor as well.
• Process until all tomatoes are chopped up - NOT until smooth. You want a little chunkiness. Sauce will be a little watery. (I have thought about adding a small can of tomato paste or something here to thicken the sauce and make it more like what you would get out of a jar, however I have never tried it so I'm not sure how it would work/taste.).
• Wash and cut up pepper. Cut into slices and then cut the slices in half.
• Place tomato sauce in pan and add in meat. Heat for 5-10 minutes over medium heat until warm. Add in pepper for a few minutes and cook until desired firmness. (I only put them in for about 2-3 minutes as I like them just warm, and still crunchy.).
• Mix sauce with warm pasta, stir in pesto and serve ENJOY!

SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Melt the margarine with the oil in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add the sausage meat and cook for 10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Remove to a bowl with a slotted spoon; reserve.
• 2. To the same pot, add the eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onion and garlic. Stirring occasionally, cook until softened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the reserved sausage, the tomatoes, parsley, basil and cayenne. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• 3. Spoon the mixture into an 8x9-inch, oven-to-table baking dish to fit and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Bake in a 350°F preheated oven until the cheese melts, about 15 to 20 minutes.

ITALIAN SWEET CHICKEN SAUSAGE PATTIES

Steps:

• Preheat a nonstick skillet over med-high heat.
• Put the chicken in a bowl with the grill seasoning, fennel seeds, and half of the garlic.
• Pile the sun-dried tomatoes on top of each other in small stacks, the slice into strips.
• Coarsely chop the thin strips and add to the bowl.
• Stack the basil leaves together, then roll them up into a log; shred the basil by thinly slicing the log.
• Add the basil to the bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over the bowl; mix the ingredients together, then form 4 patties, ¾ inch thick.
• Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side in the preheated skillet.
• Heat a second skillet over med-high heat and preheat broiler, place the top rack at least 6 inches from the heat.
• To the hot skillet, add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, then the peppers and onions.
• Season the mixture with salt and pepper; cook until just tender, about 6-7 minutes.
• Toast the rolls on a broiler pan under the hot broiler.
• Place the remaining garlic and butter in a small dish; microwave for 15 seconds to melt the butter.
• Brush the toasted roll tops with garlic butter; leave the bun bottoms on the broiler pan.
• Place the patties on the bun bottoms, then top with the peppers and onions and sliced Provolone cheese.
• Place the chicken sandwiches until the broiler again for 30 seconds-1 minute to melt the cheese.
• Set the buttered tops in place; serve.