Sausage is made from ground pork that has been seasoned with fennel seeds and a hint of licorice. It can be sweet or mild. Hot Italian sausages have red pepper flakes added to give them a bit of spice. Italian sausage is a quick and easy main dish that kids and adults will both love. Learn how to cook it on the stove.
Your favorite Italian sausage recipes, salads, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches can all use Italian sausages. But it can be hard to cook them just right. If you cook Italian sausages too quickly or at too high of a temperature, the outside may get too brown and the inside may still be raw. The casings can also split and fall off, causing the sausages to lose their shape.
How to cook sausages on the stove: slowly heat them up, let them simmer, and then brown them at the end. Keep reading to learn how to cook Italian sausage perfectly every time. Your sausages will be done in less than 20 minutes, and no fancy tools or gadgets are required.
Cooking hot Italian sausage on the stove is a quick and easy way to add flavorful meat to your meals. With just a few simple steps, you can have tender juicy sausages ready in 15-20 minutes. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook hot Italian sausages to perfection on the stovetop.
What You Need
- Hot Italian sausages – choose raw, uncooked sausages rather than pre-cooked. Go for pork-based sausages for the most authentic Italian flavor.
- Olive oil or cooking oil – for browning the sausages
- Liquid – water, chicken or beef broth, white wine, etc to simmer the sausages
- Skillet or saute pan – a 10-12 inch skillet works best
- Meat thermometer – to check internal temperature
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Add Oil and Brown the Sausages
Heat 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the raw Italian sausages and brown for 2-3 minutes on each side You want a nice golden sear on each side
Browning gives great flavor and color to the sausages. Don’t worry if they aren’t fully cooked at this point.
2. Simmer in Liquid
Once browned, reduce heat to medium-low. Add 1/2 – 1 cup of liquid like water, broth, or wine to the skillet. The liquid should come about halfway up the sausages.
Cover and simmer for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until sausages are thoroughly cooked.
Simmering the sausages gently finishes cooking them through without overcooking the exterior. The liquid keeps them moist and adds extra flavor.
3. Verify Doneness
To check for doneness, insert an instant read meat thermometer into the thickest part of a sausage. The internal temperature should reach 160°F.
At this point, the sausages are cooked through and safe to eat. For extra browning, simmer uncovered for 1-2 more minutes.
4. Serve and Enjoy!
Once done, remove the sausages from the skillet and serve immediately. They pair perfectly with sautéed peppers and onions, pasta, polenta, potatoes, or roasted veggies.
Delicious hot Italian sausage ready in 20 minutes or less!
Tips for the Best Sausage
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Use fresh, raw sausages within 2 days for optimal flavor and texture. Frozen sausages will work too but may take a bit longer to cook.
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Don’t pierce the sausages while cooking. This will cause juices to escape and make them drier.
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Add herbs, garlic, or Italian seasoning to the cooking liquid for extra flavor.
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Cook to 160°F for safety, but sausages can be enjoyed up to 180°F internal temp before getting overcooked.
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Let cooked sausages rest for 5 minutes before slicing or eating for juicier meat.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and enjoy within 3-4 days.
Common Questions
Should I prick or poke the sausages before cooking?
No, do not prick or poke holes in the sausages. This will cause juices and flavor to escape. It’s better to cook them intact.
Can I grill or bake Italian sausage instead?
Absolutely! Grilling and baking are both excellent cooking methods. Just be sure to use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
How can I add more flavor?
Try a marinade, rub the sausages with Italian seasoning before cooking, use wine or seasoned broth for the simmering liquid, or sauté aromatics like garlic and onions before browning the sausage.
What’s the best way to reheat cooked sausage?
Gently reheat in a skillet with a bit of water or broth, or bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15 minutes. Microwave reheating is not recommended.
What liquids work best for simmering?
Water, chicken broth, beef broth, white wine, tomato sauce, and marinara sauce all work wonderfully. Stay away from milk as it may curdle.
Can I use a variety of sausages?
You sure can! Beyond Italian sausage, bratwurst, kielbasa, chorizo, andouille, and more can all be cooked using this stovetop simmer method.
How can I tell if the sausage is fully cooked?
Use an instant read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. 160°F is the safe minimum temperature, but for best texture and moisture, I recommend removing them once they reach 170-180°F.
Ready to Cook Sausage to Perfection?
Cooking hot Italian sausage on the stove is easy and fast with these simple steps. In less than 20 minutes, you can have juicy, flavor-packed sausages ready to enhance pasta, sandwiches, salads, and more.
Be sure to brown the sausages first for great color and flavor, then gently simmer in broth, wine or water until fully cooked. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer for perfect results every time.
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How To Cook Italian Sausage on Stove
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Fill a big skillet with water until it’s an inch deep.
- Put the sausage in the pan and heat the water until it starts to simmer. Cook covered for 7-9 minutes.
- The sausages should be cooked until the water has evaporated and the temperature is right. Take off the lid and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes.
- Turn the sausage occasionally to brown evenly.
Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. When you stick a thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage, it should read 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
- Italian sausage is not the same as smoked sausage.
- We recommend using fresh, uncooked sausage. If you buy sausages that are already cooked, the cooking time may be a little less.
- When you buy Italian sausage, if you can’t cook it within two days, you can freeze it for later use.
- If the sausage is frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking it. Cooking sausage from frozen is not recommended.
- Look for sweet Italian sausage or spicy Italian sausage. Choose one based on your recipe or preferred tastes.
- Do not boil the water before adding the sausages. Let the water and sausages heat up together to make the cooking more even.
- Some people like to brown the skins of Italian sausage in a little oil before adding water to boil it.
- A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausage should read 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) when it’s done.
- You can also add a little olive oil or butter to the fry to make them even more golden.
- Serve Italian sausage cut or whole.
- When you’re ready to serve the sausage, sauté onions and bell peppers. You can also put both on a bun for a tasty sandwich. Top with mustard or marinara sauce and provolone cheese.
- Slice cooked sausage and put it on top of pizza, in pasta, or in pasta sauce. It’s also delicious over salad.
- Make Ahead: You can cook this up to two days ahead of time if you want to use the sausage in another recipe.
- Store—For up to four days, sausages that are left over can be kept in an airtight container. Warm it up again in the microwave or a skillet with a little water.
- Freeze – Freeze leftover sausage for up to 3 months.
You can cook sausages on the stove top in about 12 minutes. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Cook ground Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula to break up the meat while it cooks. It will brown in about 5-6 minutes.
I do not recommend piercing the skin. When you poke holes in the skin, the meat’s juices can escape. This makes the sausage drier, and it may take longer to cook.
You may prefer baked Italian sausage to pan-fried Italian sausage. Cook Italian sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment or in a glass baking dish. Baked Italian sausage will take approximately 25-30 minutes in a 350 degrees F/180 degrees C oven.
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