36 Sausage Recipes You Need To Try

Sausage is one of those comfort proteins that most people love. Yeah, you can grill it, use it for a pizza topping, or crumble it into spaghetti sauce, but there's more to sausage than BBQs and delicious Italian food. And let's not even start with the different types of sausages... Polish kielbasa, anyone? 

Sausage is a sleeper hit in the kitchen. After chicken and fish, most people turn to ground beef as their meat of choice. But don't sleep on sausage. It cooks pretty quickly on the stove, oven, or grill, and it's a great choice if you need to get dinner (or breakfast) on the table in a hurry. And if you're looking for a more thoughtful, nuanced meal, you can't beat the flavor slow-simmered sausage brings to soup and casseroles. What's more, sausage freezes beautifully, so if you find links or ground sausage on sale, you can easily stock up.

Even though there are so many types of sausage out there, it can be difficult to think of new ways to use it when it's time to cook. With these recipes, you'll always be able to whip up a savory, sausage-y meal that satisfies in just a few easy steps.

When you have to prepare dinner on short notice, a simple dish is a great solution because it can be adapted to whatever's in your fridge. The magic of this sausage and potato recipe is that it's quick, easily customizable, and all made in one pan. If you're new to cooking and a little nervous about working with pork products, this meal is foolproof. It's also very versatile; you can use any kind of sausage that suits your taste buds best. If you prefer something more spicy or smoky, try using smoked kielbasa instead.

Recipe: 20-Minute Sausage And Potatoes Dinner

This satisfying stewed dish is perfect for when you want a filling main course, but don't want to waste time toiling over the stove. Recipe developer Kristen Carli brings you a simple but tasty Andouille sausage dish with plenty of veggies that promises to bring some serious Cajun flavor. Put on your favorite podcast while you cook, and you'll be eating your dinner by the time the episode ends.

"This would make an ideal weeknight meal for the family," she says. "It's made in only one pan, so it makes for easy cleanup."

Recipe: Stewed Okra And Tomatoes With Sausage

If you love appetizers, these easy sausage cheese balls may be turn out to be among the best you've ever had. They're super quick and easy to make, and can easily be adapted to suit your tastes. This recipe will be a hit at your next game day or party and your guests will beg you for the recipe. Serve these cheesy, savory spheres with some sweet potato fries for a great combo. The best part? You can make these ahead of time — just pop them in the oven before the party starts and enjoy!

Recipe: Easy Sausage Cheese Balls

Pizza Hut's Cavatini is a baked pasta dish that has long been missed by Pizza Hut fans. People are so enamored with this dish, which has multiple meats and pasta shapes, that they have tried to re-create it at home. This recipe does just that and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

This is also a great make-ahead meal. You can make a batch on Sunday and keep it in the fridge, so you can quickly warm up a batch of cheesy goodness any night of the week.

Recipe: Copycat Pizza Hut Cavatini

Sure, you can make this recipe with any sausage you have on hand, but the key to this recipe is that it uses 'nduja sausage — a spreadable Italian treat with a tangy taste. This baked pasta is the perfect choice if you're looking for a dish that tastes special but is actually quite easy to make.

Ricotta cheese provides a creamy counterpart to the spicy, succulent sausage. The only downside (which isn't actually a downside, if you like spicy food) is that this dish might make you sweat.

Recipe: Spicy Sausage And Ricotta Pasta That's Exploding With Flavor

This casserole is perfect for the winter months when you want a hearty, uncomplicated meal. This recipe fits the bill, requiring just cabbage, Italian sausage, and butter. The dish needs two hours in the oven, so you have plenty of time to get other things done while it cooks. Make it on Sunday and eat it for the rest of the week. It's really good with a green salad or, as the recipe developer suggests, some crusty bread and grainy mustard.

Recipe: Cabbage And Sausage Casserole

As the temperature dips, and the sun sets a little earlier each night, it's time to think cozy. A comforting bowl of hot soup or stew is a delicious way to warm up, and these ingredients are perfect for producing a flavorful, warming, and savory dish. This is a fantastic, filling, and tasty soup that will quickly become a staple in your household. You can also adapt this basic turnip greens soup to your own unique tastes once you've gotten comfortable making it.

Recipe: Easy Turnip Greens Soup

Chef and recipe developer Jason Goldstein of Chop Happy, who grew up in New Jersey, thinks of soup as "a fun comfort food." This Portuguese bean soup is so easy to make, requiring just 10 minutes of prep time. As Goldstein notes, the slow cookers acts as your "personal chef." Combine the ingredients, set the timer, and come back to a tasty meal.

For a more Italian flavor profile, the recipe creator recommends using spicy Italian sausage and herbs like basil or oregano.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Portuguese Bean Soup

Between home and work, it can be hard to find time for anything else. That's why easy-peasy recipes are so important. You want to be able to come home after a long day and have a delicious meal ready in a matter of minutes. This tortellini recipe is just that. Plus, it's a one-pan meal, which means super-quick cleanup.

This easy tortellini dish is destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Pop it on the stove, toast some garlic bread, and boom: you have dinner.

Recipe: Easy Tortellini For Nights You Don't Feel Like Cooking

Lasagna has many different variations, yet it seems like everyone makes it the exact same way. Noodles, cheese, meat, and tomatoes with perhaps a pinch or two of spice. Boring! Although this recipe is simple, it ups the oomph factor with the addition of turkey sausage. Suddenly, the layers of noodles and meat sauce taste new and different. The savory taste of this lasagna (plus the sly addition of vegetables like carrots and zucchini) is what makes it so good.

Recipe: Classic Lasagna With A Twist

Cassoulet is a hearty French casserole of beans and meat, including kielbasa and pork sausage. There are different variations of cassoulet, but it traditionally includes a toasted breadcrumb mixture that's cooked in duck fat and added to the top near the end of the baking time. It takes time to get such scrumptious results, so most home cooks don't attempt it, which is a shame. While cassoulet is time-consuming, recipe creator Michelle Morey breaks down her recipe into doable chunks that can be spread over a weekend.

Recipe: Cassoulet

If you're looking for a new dish to make at home, consider the Louisiana dish jambalaya. It traditionally combines rice, vegetables, a spice mix, and savory meats like shrimp, sausage, chicken, or all three. This Creole jambalaya recipe takes a healthy turn, using farro instead of rice and chicken sausage instead of Andouille. For those who are spice shy, fret not — you can add as much or as little heat as you want. Plus, clean-up is a breeze, as everything is made in one pot.

Recipe: The One-Pot Jambalaya You've Been Waiting To Try

Gumbo is a popular Southern dish made with a roux, a broth, various meats and vegetables, and spices such as cayenne pepper, thyme, onions, celery, and garlic. Gumbo is served over a pile of white rice and is comfort food for many in Louisiana, who claim it is practically the state's signature dish. With its rich flavor, most people think cooking gumbo is a laborious task. But as this recipe proves, if you can stir, you can make gumbo.

Recipe: The Best Gumbo You've Ever Made

Bratwurst, a savory German sausage, is a perfect choice for dinner. It's great for beginning cooks, and has a distinct flavor that somehow works with just about anything you throw at it. Bratwurst is not just tasty grilled and served on a bun, it's also a wonderful in casseroles, like this one which pairs it with green beans, mushrooms, and shredded cheddar. Serve it with garlic bread and a green salad — what could be better?

Recipe: Cheesy Bratwurst Casserole

Spaghetti and meatballs is an all-time classic. Popularized by Italian immigrants in America, spaghetti and meatballs has been a popular (and kid-friendly) meal in households across America for years. This version turns the family favorite into an easy-to-assemble casserole that can be made ahead and tucked into the freezer for nights you can't think about anything other than comfort food.

Recipe: The Easy Spaghetti And Meatballs Casserole Anyone Can Make

If you like Italian food, then you'll love Zuppa Tuscana, a soup that combines kale, potatoes, Italian sausage, and bacon. Perfect for chilly days, this dish will last for up to a week in the refrigerator, so you can heat it up for lunch or dinner for days to come. Finish it at the table with a little (or a lot of) shredded Parmesan and a pinch of black pepper. This soup is rich and filling, but the kale adds a healthy element. To make the dish even heartier, consider adding white beans.

Recipe: Instant Pot Zuppa Tuscana

One of the best things about egg casseroles is that you can basically put anything in them and they'll still taste great. You can mix vegetables like spinach and broccoli in with lean proteins like turkey sausage, or use taco seasoning to give it a southwestern twist.

This recipe puts a bite-sized twist on Giada De Laurentiis' egg casserole recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, goat cheese, and of course, sausage. They're perfect for a potluck or brunch party!

Recipe: Giada's Egg Casserole With A Twist

There's something special about red beans and rice. Sure, there's something comforting about its simplicity, but let's not forget about the spices: cayenne pepper, garlic, and Creole seasoning. Andouille sausage adds a nice kick to the dish, so keep that in mind before you start adding extra heat.

Recipe developer and registered dietician Kristen Carli says "I love serving this as a complete meal on its own but it could pair nicely with some roasted veggies or a simple salad."

Recipe: Simple Red Beans And Rice That Anyone Can Make

Spaghetti Carbonara is a great dinner option, requiring just a few ingredients and a short cooking time. The noodles are briefly boiled, then finish cooking in the sauce. Tender al dente pasta is combined with pancetta and cheese, then egg yolk is added to thicken the sauce. This version of Rachael Ray's recipe becomes more substantial with the addition of ground Italian sausage and kale.

Recipe: Rachael Ray's Carbonara With A Twist

Stuffed cabbage rolls are one of those foods that makes you wonder why they aren't more popular. The recipe seems basic, but the flavor is amazing. Cabbage is filled with a mixture of ground meat (in this case, sweet Italian sausage), onion, garlic powder, rice, green pepper, and covered in marinara sauce. Typically, making stuffed cabbage rolls is a major undertaking. This 'unstuffed' cabbage roll recipe, made in the slow cooker, is much easier, and will give you days of satisfying leftovers.

Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe That's Perfect For Dinner

Dunkin' Donuts has a variety of breakfast sandwiches, but their Power Breakfast Sandwich has a special place in fan's hearts. The Power Breakfast Sandwich consists of egg whites scrambled with delectable garden vegetables, a turkey sausage patty, and perfectly melty cheese served on toasty multigrain bread. This copycat sandwich recipe, from Liz Capozzoli of Owl Baking, tastes even better than what you'd get at the drive-thru.

Recipe: Copycat Dunkin' Donuts Power Breakfast Sandwich

If you want to impress someone special over brunch, try making this delicious breakfast skillet casserole. You won't believe how good it looks when it comes out of the oven! Jamie Monkkonen created this amazing and protein-packed recipe that's destined to be a favorite. We know what you might think — why would you serve breakfast in a skillet? It brings the drama, that's why, and makes everything look just a little fancier. No one will suspect how easy it was to throw together.

Recipe: Bacon Sausage Ham Breakfast Skillet

Before you talk yourself out of it, making your own sausage is not as hard as you think. Typically you'd use whatever ground meat, seasonings, and casings you prefer, but this recipe skips the casings to make matters even easier.

Making this ground venison summer sausage is a fairly simple process that can be done in one session. The sausages are set in the fridge to cure, then baked. After you get the hang of it, you can add new seasonings to enhance the flavor even more.

Recipe: Simple Homemade Venison Summer Sausage

A traditional rice dish from Valencia, paella is perfection in a pan. Several variations exist, but in Spain, the dish is commonly made with saffron, rice, tomatoes, onions, garlic, sausage such as chorizo, and seafood. The colors and textures create a colorful, Instagram-ready meal. Plus, the fragrant herbs and spices make your house smell like a Michelin-starred restaurant. Follow the recipe, and you'll be feasting in no time.

Recipe: Paella

Whenever people need comfort food, they often think of chili. Whether it's a snowy winter's night or the end of a long spring day, this chili mac is perfect for any occasion. Ground sausage (or in this case, plant-based Beyond sausage) sauteed with onions, garlic, and kidney beans is already a winner, but the addition of fire-roasted tomatoes takes this dish to another level.

The best part? You can add whatever vegetables you have. Got half a zucchini you need to use? Chop it up and add it in. Make a little extra for leftovers — the flavors meld even better after a night in the fridge.

Recipe: 20-Minute Fire-Roasted Chili Mac

If you love meatballs, you are in for a treat. The addition of hot Italian sausage and a melted mozzarella filling infuses even more flavor and spice into these meatballs inspired by Giada De Laurentiis. Plus, the sausage's flavor complements the turkey very well and adds some extra moisture. Make extras and you'll be blessed with a yummy meatball sub the next day.

Recipe: Giada's Turkey Meatballs With A Twist

Biscuits and gravy is a classic Southern dish. Who doesn't love a flaky biscuit served with creamy, hearty sausage gravy and a hint of black pepper? No one, that's who. The best sausage gravy recipes have a consistency that's not too thick and not too thin... and this one strikes the perfect balance. Tip: don't skimp on the pepper, it brings out the flavor of the other ingredients.

Recipe: The Best Biscuits And Gravy You've Ever Tasted

There's something special about butternut squash. It can stand up to almost anything, from soups and stews to baking and pureeing. If you are looking to mix up your typical pasta night, this butternut squash stuffed shells recipe puts a delicious twist on traditional stuffed shells. These shells are a great way to highlight the distinct flavors of autumn, like sage and brown butter, and its stunning presentation makes this dish perfect for Thanksgiving.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

Cowboy stew is a hearty dish of meat, beans, and vegetables simmered in a fragrant tomato soup base. One imagines that every night in the old West, a pot of stew was kept bubbling over a wood-burning stove. The ranchers were experts at creating hearty soups and stews that would satisfy after a long day of... Whatever it is ranchers did back then. Today, stews still strike the perfect note at the end of a busy day. This recipe uses an Instant Pot to maximize flavor in a minimal amount of time.

Recipe: Instant Pot Cowboy Stew With Ranch Style Beans

A seafood boil is one of those recipes that sounds more difficult than it really is. Simply put an abundance of spices and aromatics in a pot then let the mixture boil. Add seafood and vegetables to the mixture, and the spices will infuse the food with incredible flavor. You can throw any extra seafood in this recipe, but this recipe calls for shrimp, mussels, and clams. The sausage in this stew makes it filling and satisfying while adding a touch of savory goodness.

Recipe: Spicy Seafood Boil That Kicks Things Up A Notch

After a long day of work, you deserve to have a warm and hearty dinner. Don't be intimidated by the thought of recreating this popular Olive Garden soup. Once you get the ingredients together, the process is very straightforward. All it takes is one pot on the stove and a few ingredients you most likely already have, like spicy Italian sausage. This soup could be served with a salad, warm fresh bread, or even biscuits if you have them. The possibilities are endless (and tasty).

Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana For Cold Nights

Sometimes we all need a break from the usual routine. We're not saying that eating the same thing is bad, but from time to time it's nice to switch things up. For example, chili. Let's just say that it's as close to a full-on hearty meal that you can get. Plus, most of us have the ingredients on hand. But what if you tried something new? For example, most people make chili with beef. Delicious? Sure. But typical. This recipe adds chorizo to the mix, giving the chili a savory and spicy kick.

Recipe: Classic Chili With A Twist

Fried breakfast tacos are undoubtedly amazing, but what makes them so great is the crunchy, sweet, and savory breakfast sausage that they're made with. Sure, you can make a sausage scramble to eat and it's amazing, but then you're missing out on that satisfying crunch. If you're not in the mood for sausage, you can always swap it for bacon, or go veggie with spinach, tomatoes, and potatoes. You can even wrap 'em up and bring them with you to work!

Recipe: Fried Breakfast Tacos Recipe That's The Perfect Compliment To Fresh Salsa

Say what you will about McDonald's, but the iconic chain knows how to serve breakfast. (Hash browns, anyone?) Spend a Sunday afternoon making a large batch of sausage patties and pancakes, then stick 'em in the fridge. On busy mornings, make your scrambled eggs in the microwave, build your yummy sandwich, and reheat the whole thing for another minute. Boom! Breakfast is served.

Recipe: Copycat McDonald's Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles

There's something special about calzones, with their crispy-flaky crust and savory, cheesy filling. It's the best of two worlds: a pizza mixed with a sandwich. So tasty! When preparing these cheesy sausage and spinach calzones, be sure to make extra — these reheat well, and are perfect for those days when you just don't feel like cooking and don't want to get a pizza delivered yet again.

Recipe: These Calzones Are Seriously Delicious

Okay, so technically this recipe uses a plant-based sausage patty from Impossible Foods. But that doesn't mean you have to! This popular yet simple breakfast sandwich would be perfect for families that have both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Switch things up by experimenting with different rolls and cheeses, if you like. Though it's based off the Starbucks menu item, it's easy to adapt to everyone's individual tastes.

Recipe: Copycat Starbucks Impossible Breakfast Sandwich