17 Easy Recipes to Make With a Package of Italian Sausage
Spice up your weeknight dinner routiine.
Whether you’re looking for easy ideas for entertaining or tasty weeknight dinners, a package of Italian sausage will make any meal feel like a zesty feast. This unassuming protein works for so many different recipes, including pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, comforting casseroles, and even soups. Not only can Italian sausage be used in a variety of ways, but it’s easy to cook, too. Once you know how to cook sausage, the easy dinner possibilities are endless!
Italian sausage is a type of pork sausage with its own special savory flavor that's distinct from other varieties like breakfast sausage or kielbasa. That's because Italian sausage is made with seasonings like fennel seeds and herbs. If you're familiar with it already, you may know that there are two different kinds to choose from: sweet or spicy. Despite the name, sweet Italian sausage isn’t necessarily sweet; it's just milder. If you like a kick, go for the hot Italian sausage studded with red pepper. Or, you can always use a combination of both.
The added benefit of Italian sausage (besides its availability at pretty much any supermarket these days) is that the casings are easily removed. That means you can cook them whole or remove the casings and use the meat like ground sausage. Here, you’ll find everything from sheet pan suppers to baked pastas that use sausage every which way. So, if you’re stuck in a dinner rut, you’ve come to the right place. These sausage recipes will spice up any weeknight meal!
Bow Tie Pasta
Italian sausage makes it so easy to get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. It only uses one pot, too! Along with sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli, the sausage really flavors this simple dish.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta recipe.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Summer Vegetables
This easy dinner is loaded with sweet Italian sausage, zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. They all cook and caramelize together and just need a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and fresh basil at the end.
Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup
If you’re looking for something warm, hearty, and soothing, this soup is for you! It comes together in just 45 minutes and makes an extra big batch, so you can freeze some for later.
Get Ree’s Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup recipe.
Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
Transform packaged gnocchi into a creamy dinner in no time. Hot Italian sausage gives it a little kick, while garlic breadcrumbs add texture and even more flavor. It’ll be ready in just 35 minutes, too!
Sausage and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Here’s a fun twist on sausage and peppers! These stuffed peppers are filled with a mixture of loose sweet Italian sausage and rice. It’s an easy (and cheesy) dinner that you can prep ahead.
Get Ree’s Sausage and Rice Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Mini Calzones
If you were a fan of pizza pockets as a kid, you’ll go crazy for this dressed-up version featuring sausage, cheese, and sauce. It couldn’t be easier to make thanks to frozen bread dough. Jarred marinara works great for dipping.
Get Ree’s Mini Calzones recipe.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Pepper Hoagies
Italian sausage can be either hot or sweet, but the best thing about this loaded sandwich is that you can use a combination of both! It’s perfectly balanced.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Sausage and Pepper Hoagies recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Spicy Sausage
Sheet pan dinners are a go-to in the Drummond household. They’re easy to prep and to clean up! This one has sausage, peppers, cheese, and herbs to go along with the pillowy soft gnocchi.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Spicy Sausage recipe.
Sausage and Pepper Burgers
Cook down bell peppers, onions, and tomato sauce to make a delicious saucy topping for these grilled sausage and beef burgers. Gooey provolone cheese is the perfect finishing touch.
Get Ree’s Sausage and Pepper Burgers recipe.
Orecchiette with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage
Come fall, there are tons of butternut squash recipes worth trying—and this should definitely be one of them! It’s cozy, comforting, and easy to make in under an hour.
Get Ree’s Orecchiette with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage recipe.
Sausage and Pepper Pizza
Pickled peppers are the key to giving this square slice a bit of zing! Refrigerated pizza dough makes it so easy to toss together. Serve this pie with a side of greens for a fun weeknight dinner.
Get Ree’s Sausage and Peppers Pizza recipe.
Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
Saucy, rich, and packed with two types of protein (Italian sausage and ground beef), this baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food. It feeds a crowd, so gather your friends and family for a fun pasta party.
Get Ree’s Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage recipe.
Sausage and Peppers
You can make sausage all year round, but we especially love it during the summer when you can throw it on the grill. Create a DIY sandwich bar with your favorite BBQ sides and toasted rolls.
Get the Sausage and Peppers recipe.
Loaf Pan Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Sausage
This lasagna is packed with fall flavors, including seasonal butternut squash, sage, and sweet Italian sausage. It’s ideal for a fall potluck dinner.
Get Ree’s Loaf Pan Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Sausage recipe.
Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortelloni Soup
Tortelloni is a stuffed pasta that’s similar in shape to tortellini, but larger in size. Feel free to sub in the smaller kind if you can’t find tortelloni.
Get the Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Tortelloni Soup recipe.
Lots of Meat Pizza
Don’t limit yourself to just one kind of meat—this pizza is loaded with sausage, pepperoni, ham, salami, and bacon. Some might say it has it all!
Get Ree’s Lots of Meat Pizza recipe.
Lasagna Rollups
This meaty and cheesy lasagna is freezer-friendly so you can easily break it up into smaller portions, and heat one up whenever the craving hits!
Get Ree’s Lasagna Rollups recipe.
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