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.
Italian sausage is a backbone of flavor in countless beloved dishes from pizza to pasta. That distinctive seasoning of fennel garlic and red pepper flakes gives it an addictive zing. But to truly unlock that savory sausage potential, proper stovetop technique is key. Undercooking leaves raw flavor and tough texture while overcooking yields dry, bland meat. Luckily, with a few simple tips, you can achieve juicy, robust Italian sausage worthy of any red sauce dish.
Benefits of Stovetop Cooking
While Italian sausage is versatile enough for oven cooking or grilling, the stovetop offers some advantages:
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Quick cooking: With active monitoring, sausage browns up fast.
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Flavor development Browning builds rich umami depth
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Temperature control Quick temperature adjustments prevent over or undercooking
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Meal versatility: Cooked sausage can be incorporated into a variety of dishes.
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Moist interior: The two-step method ensures a juicy interior.
Step-by-Step Method for Stovetop Perfection
Follow this simple stovetop sausage process for outstanding results:
1. Add Water and Simmer
- Place sausage links in a skillet and add 1⁄2 cup water or broth.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes.
2. Evaporate Liquid
- Remove lid and increase heat to medium-high.
- Cook until water evaporates and sizzles off, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Brown the Sausage
- Keep heating on medium-high and brown the links, turning frequently, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Check Internal Temperature
- Insert an instant-read thermometer into thickest part of sausage.
- Cook until it reaches 160°F for ideal doneness.
5. Rest and Serve
- Remove from skillet and let rest 5 minutes before slicing or eating.
- Enjoy in pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and more!
Stovetop Tips and Tricks
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Use a sturdy skillet to prevent scorching. Cast iron works great.
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Add olive oil to boost browning if needed.
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Turn frequently to promote even color on all sides.
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160°F internal temp ensures food safety.
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Let sausage rest before cutting to retain juices.
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Cook a big batch and freeze extra for quick meals.
Common Stovetop Sausage Mistakes
It’s easy to go wrong cooking Italian sausage on the stove. Avoid these errors:
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Skipping the simmer stage and only searing the links. This leaves the interior undercooked.
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Letting the sausage overbrown and char. This creates a burnt taste.
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Not taking the internal temperature. Sausage may appear done but still be undercooked inside.
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Cutting the links right after cooking. This causes the juices to run out.
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Cooking on too high heat. This leads to scorching and uneven cooking.
Tasty Stovetop Sausage Meals
Once you’ve mastered basic sausage stove skills, try these flavorful recipe ideas:
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Sausage and Peppers – Classic combo of sausage, onions, peppers, tomatoes.
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Sausage Risotto – Savory rice dish with sausage and Parmesan.
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Sausage Lasagna – Meaty layers of noodles, cheese, and sausage.
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Sausage Soup – Hearty sausage, bean and veggie soup.
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Sausage Breadsticks – Soft breadsticks filled with sausage and cheese.
With the right stovetop technique, you’ll achieve plump, juicy Italian sausage ready for any recipe. Simmer then sear for flavorful browning without overcooking. Take sausage skills up a notch with stovetop success!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about cooking Italian sausage on the stove? Here are some common FAQs:
Q: Can I skip the simmer step and just brown the sausages?
A: Not recommended. Simmering first ensures the interior cooks fully. Just searing may leave raw centers.
Q: How long will cooked sausage last in the fridge?
A: 3-4 days stored properly in an airtight container. Freeze for longer storage.
Q: What oil should I use to brown the sausages?
A: An oil with a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed or light olive oil.
Q: Do I need to prick the sausages before cooking?
A: Pricking can help prevent casing from splitting but is not mandatory.
Q: Can I use chicken broth instead of water?
A: Yes, chicken broth adds extra flavor as the simmer liquid.
Satisfying, Simple Stovetop Sausage
With its quintessential savory-sweet Italian flavor, sausage deserves more than just a basic pan-fry. For the very best results, employ the simmer-sear stovetop method. The moist interior and caramelized exterior will make your recipe shine. Master sausage stovetop skills for easy weeknight meals, crowd-pleasing appetizers and flavorful Italian feasts.
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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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