Italian Pink Sauce with sausage is one of my familys favorite meals. The sausage balances out the creaminess of this sauce making for an ultimately delicious and family-friendly pasta.
This sauce is a classic comfort food. That’s how long it takes to make, and it’s a great dish for a party, dinner for one, or dinner for the whole family. No one will ever be disappointed if you bring this dish over.
Sausages are a beloved staple in cuisines around the world. From bratwurst to chorizo, sausage comes in endless varieties and is enjoyed in everything from breakfast sandwiches to hearty dinners. But while sausage itself packs a flavor punch, the right sauce can take it to the next level. When considering what sauce goes well with sausage, there are many delicious options to choose from. The ideal pairing depends on factors like the type of sausage, other ingredients, and personal preferences. This guide will explore popular sausage sauce pairings, regional flavors, homemade recipes, and more to unlock the secrets to sausage sauce success.
Classic Pairings for Traditional Sausage Dishes
Some sauces are tried and true classics when it comes to complementing the taste of sausage. Here are three timeless pairings that never disappoint:
1. Mustard
Mustard is hands down one of the most popular condiments served with sausage. The tangy bright yellow sauce adds a zesty kick that perfectly balances the savory juiciness of sausage. Yellow mustard is the standard but spicy brown and Dijon mustard also make excellent partners. Squeezing or drizzling mustard over a grilled brat or sausage sandwich always hits the spot.
2. Ketchup
As a versatile condiment loved by kids and adults alike ketchup naturally pairs well with sausage. The sweet and tangy tomato flavor provides contrast to the richness of pork or beef sausage. Ketchup is especially good for dipping bites of sausage or using as a topping for simple sausage and veggie skewers.
3. Barbecue Sauce
Smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy, barbecue sauce was practically made for sausage. The bold sauces complement grilled sausages like hot dogs, Polish sausage, and smokies. Barbecue sauce also shines when tossed with bite-sized sausage pieces or used as a topping for sausage-loaded pizza.
Exploring Global Flavors
Every cuisine around the world has its own unique sauces that harmonize impeccably with local sausage specialties Some winning combinations to try are
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Germany: Sausage + Mustard – A customary pairing where the mustard’s bite balances the juicy bratwurst.
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Italy: Sausage + Tomato Sauce – The brightness of marinara sauce perfectly matches the fennel in Italian sausage.
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Mexico: Sausage + Salsa – The fresh, spicy salsa cuts through the richness of chorizo in tacos and more.
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Cajun: Sausage + Hot Pepper Jelly – The sweet heat of pepper jelly complements spicy andouille sausage.
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Asia: Sausage + Sweet Chili Sauce – The rich, ginger-accented sauce pairs nicely with sausage in stir fry.
Craft Your Own Homemade Sauces
Concocting your own sauce at home lets you control the flavors and create a customized pairing. Quick and easy homemade sauces for sausage include:
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Honey Mustard Sauce – Whisk together mustard, honey, mayo, and lemon juice. Sweet with a kick.
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Apple Cider Sauce – Saute apples and onions then stir in apple cider, maple syrup, mustard, and thyme. Sweet and tangy.
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Guajillo Chile Sauce – Blend guajillo chiles with stock, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and oregano for a spicy Mexican sauce.
Getting creative with homemade sauces allows you to complement different sausage varieties in new and exciting ways.
Healthy Low-Fat Options
You can still enjoy delicious sauce with your sausage while keeping it lighter by using healthy low-fat base ingredients like:
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Greek Yogurt – Makes a creamy, tangy base for sauces and dips.
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Tomato Salsa – Packs fresh flavor without the added fat.
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Mustard – Classic condiment with only 20 calories per tablespoon. Skip the fatty mayo or sour cream.
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Hot Sauce – Adds lots of kick without calories or fat. SRIRACHA and Cholula are popular picks.
With some simple substitutions, you can keep your sausage sauce pairing satisfying without overdoing it on fat or calories.
Complementing Flavors is Key
At the end of the day, the perfect sausage sauce comes down to complementing and enhancing the flavors already present. If your sausage is sweet, opt for a tangier sauce. If it’s spicy, cool it down with a sweeter sauce. No matter your preferences, there are endless sauce possibilities to explore to find that ideal blend of flavors.
When biting into a juicy sausage with a sauce that makes the flavors sing, you’ll know you’ve found the perfect match. So grab your favorite sausage, whip up a sauce, and get ready to enjoy a seriously scrumptious pairing.
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Making the Pink Sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot. Bring to a simmer and add basil, salt, and return the sausage to the pot. Simmer for 20 minutes stirring the sauce occasionally to avoid burning it.
While the sauce is simmering, bring a pot of water to a boil and boil your pasta. SAVE 1 cup of the pasta water to add to the sauce.
After 20 minutes of simmering, add half a cup of pasta water to the sauce. Stir and then remove from the heat.
Stir in the heavy cream and the parmesan until the pasta reaches a pinkish color. Adjust the heavy cream ratio to make your sauce more or less pink. Remember! The more cream you add the richer the pasta will taste.
Add your pasta to the pot and stir until it is coated with the sauce. Serve with extra parmesan and basil.
How to Store and Reheat
Store this pasta in an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can heat it up again in the microwave, but my favorite way is to use a nonstick pan on medium-low heat on the stove.
Italian pink sauce makes for great leftovers and is also one of my favorite cold kinds of pasta. Nothing like stealing a couple of rigatonis at 8 AM.
Pink sauce is made of a combination of tomatoes and cream. The cream is added once the sauce is removed from the heat.
Pink sauce has a bunch of different names and variations including vodka sauce, rosatella sauce, or rosa sauce. It depends on what country youre in and what the variation is.
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This Italian Sausage Pasta Is So Easy, You’ll Forget About Other Pasta Recipes
FAQ
What tastes good with sausage?
What’s a good side with sausage?
What are sausages eaten with?
What do Italians eat sausage with?
What sauce goes with sausage balls?
These classic Sausage Balls with Two Dipping Sauces are going to be the hit of your next get together! They’re super simple to make and are perfect for the holidays, game day, or just a neighborly gathering. Try them dipped in my honey mustard or spicy horseradish catsup sauce. Yum! Recipes for Sausage Balls have been around for years and years.
What is the healthier substitute of tomato sauce?
Tomato Sauce is the most commonly used side dish with any kind of fast food like burgers, flat breads, pizzas, fries etc. Consuming too much of ketchup will lead to weight gain and even acne problems. Ketchups have artificial colour and flavour and preservatives which are not good for digestion and cardiovascular health. Other healthy alternatives for tomato sauce are: 1) Home made tomato sauce using fresh and ripen tomatoes, garlic along with salt and sugar. 2) Tomato Chutney which is freshly homemade. 3) Tomato Gravy added and spiced with garam masala to give tangy tase. 4) Thick tomato jam which is homemade.
What is a good dipping sauce for grilled sausage?
Spicy ketchup (think SRIRACHA!), honey dijon, and creamy cajun horseradish sauce. You’ll LOVE the flavors of these simple dipping sauces! 3 Easy grilled sausage dipping sauces – honey dijon, creamy horseradish, and spicy ketchup! For each sauce, whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve with grilled sausages or grilled brats.
What sauce goes well with sausage tortellini?
Marinara is a very popular sauce that can be used on many different types of food. It is a tomato-based sauce that is usually made with garlic, onions, and herbs. Marinara sauce goes great with sausage tortellini because the sausage adds a lot of flavor to the sauce. The tortellini also absorb the flavors of the sauce very well.