It’s so easy and my favorite way to cook breakfast sausage to cook it in the oven! No more flipping it over and over in a skillet while grease pops all over the cooktop!
There’s no need to flip the sausage links more than once during the 12-minute baking time; they come out so juicy. To get your sausage links the perfect golden brown color, see my tip on the recipe card. This is how I make sausage patties and hot dogs in the oven.
There is a big difference between cooking meat on the stove and cooking it in the oven. My favorite ways to cook meat are in the oven, with burgers, bratwursts, bacon, and even pork steaks!
It’s great that I can just put the baking dish in the oven and take it out when it’s done. No more messing around with meats on the stove. I knew that baking sausage links in the oven would be just as good as baking any other kind of sausage or meat in the oven. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
Cooking breakfast sausage in the oven is one of the easiest, foolproof ways to prepare juicy, flavorful sausage links or patties. No more greasy stovetops or unevenly cooked sausage! The oven allows for hands-off cooking and perfectly even results, time after time.
As avid breakfast lovers and sausage fans, we wanted to share our best tips, tricks and techniques for baking sausages in the oven. Whether you are cooking for a small weekend breakfast or a big holiday brunch, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know
We will cover:
- Benefits of using the oven
- How to choose the best sausage
- Step-by-step baking instructions
- Pro tips for best results
- How long and what temp to cook
- Serving suggestions and recipe ideas
- FAQs and troubleshooting
So read on to become an expert on how to cook breakfast sausage to juicy perfection in your oven!
Why Cook Sausage in the Oven?
There are so many advantages to baking sausage in the oven rather than frying on the stovetop. Some of the best reasons include:
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Even cooking: The ambient heat surrounds and cooks the sausages evenly all over with no hot spots.
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Consistency No more undercooked centers or charred outsides. The results are perfect every time
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Hands-off: Simply pop in the oven and go enjoy your coffee. No need to constantly flip and monitor.
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Makes a big batch: Easy to bake a large quantity at once – great for big groups and meal prepping.
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Minimal mess: Contain the fat and grease on a baking sheet instead of your stovetop.
For these reasons, we almost always opt for the oven over the stove when cooking breakfast sausage. The results are just unbeatable.
How to Choose the Best Breakfast Sausage
When it comes to sausage, quality is key. Be sure to select high quality links or patties with these characteristics:
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Pork-based: Made primarily from ground pork for richness and fat content.
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Natural casings: Sausage stuffed into casings stays plump and juices don’t escape.
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Seasoned, not spicy: Look for sage, thyme, garlic, onion, pepper – not a lot of heat.
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No weird ingredients: Check the label to avoid unnecessary fillers, preservatives, etc.
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Visible specks of seasoning: You should see flecks of herbs and spices distributed throughout.
For ultimate freshness and ingredient control, make your own breakfast sausage from scratch. But store-bought links work great too when you choose high quality options.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Sausages
Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-baked sausage every time:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. This high heat helps brown and crisp the casings.
2. Prep the Baking Sheet
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
3. Arrange the Sausages
Place sausage links or patties on the baking sheet without overcrowding. Leave space between.
4. Poke Holes in Links
Use a fork to gently poke holes all over sausages with casings. This prevents bursting.
5. Bake the Sausages
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Pro tip: Use tongs or a spatula for easy flipping.
6. Check for Doneness
Sausage should reach an internal temp of 160°F. Patties will release juices when poked.
7. Let Rest and Serve
Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving to let moisture redistribute. Enjoy!
In just 20 minutes you can have a batch of evenly cooked, juicy oven-baked sausage ready for breakfast. It’s really that easy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Sausage
Use these pro tips for the highest quality, best tasting breakfast sausage every time you bake in the oven:
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Use parchment paper to contain grease and fat drippings.
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Leave 1-inch space between sausages to allow air flow.
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Turn or flip sausage halfway through – promotes even browning.
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Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
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Let sausage rest 5 minutes before cutting to retain juices.
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Add a spritz of oil for a super crisp, browned exterior.
With just a few simple tricks, you’ll have expertly baked sausage coming out of your oven.
How Long Should You Cook Sausage in the Oven?
The exact oven cook time depends on a few factors:
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Size of sausage – Smaller links and patties cook faster than jumbo ones.
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Thickness – Thicker sausages require a longer cook time than thin.
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Quantity – More sausages may require slightly longer total cook time.
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Precooked vs. raw – Precooked or smoked sausage warms faster than raw.
For average sized raw pork breakfast sausage, allow 15-20 minutes in a 400°F oven. Always use an instant read thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety.
What Oven Temperature Is Best for Cooking Sausage?
We recommend preheating your oven to 400°F to cook breakfast sausage. This high heat helps:
- Crisp and brown the casings
- Render fat and prevent greasy finish
- Cook sausage all the way through
Lower oven temps (350°F) may work but will increase cook time and yield less browned results. Higher temps above 425°F risk burning the outside before the inside cooks through.
Stick with 400°F for perfect oven-baked sausage every time. Adjust cook time based on size and quantity.
Delicious Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ideas
Baked breakfast sausage isn’t boring. Jazz it up by baking alongside tasty ingredients like:
- Diced potatoes and bell peppers – sausage hash
- Sliced apples and onions – sausage with a twist
- Cheddar cheese and biscuit dough – easy sausage bites
- Scrambled eggs and cheese – all-in-one breakfast bake
Or turn your baked sausage into:
- Breakfast sandwiches or subs
- Hearty sausage gravy over biscuits
- Savory sausage scramble bowls
- Cheesy sausage pizza
The possibilities are endless when you start with juicy oven-baked sausage!
Serving Suggestions for Breakfast Sausage
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve oven-baked breakfast sausage:
- Links or patties as a side dish with eggs
- Chopped up in omelets or breakfast tacos
- Mixed into cheesy grits or hash browns
- On biscuits smothered in sausage gravy
- In a breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese
- As a pizza topping along with veggies
Any way you serve it, perfectly cooked oven-baked sausage takes breakfast to the next level.
FAQs and Troubleshooting For Cooking Sausage In Oven
Still have questions about baking sausage to perfection? Here are some common queries answered:
Q: Can you cook frozen sausage in the oven?
A: Yes! Just increase cook time by 5-10 minutes and check internal temp.
Q: Why did my sausage links burst open while baking?
A: Be sure to poke holes all over the casings before baking to allow steam to escape.
Q: How do I get my sausage fully cooked without burning the outsides?
A: Use a lower oven temp (325°F – 350°F) and increase cook time until 160°F internal temp.
Q: Why is my oven-baked sausage tough, dry or shriveled?
A: It’s likely overcooked. Use a meat thermometer and don’t go over 160°F next time.
Q: Can I use a baking sheet, cast iron skillet or baking mat?
A: Yes, all of those work well! Line with parchment for easy cleaning.
Ask any other sausage-baking questions below and we’ll help troubleshoot!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Now you have all the tools and tips for baking fluffy, flavorful breakfast sausage in the oven.
To recap, be sure to:
- Choose high-quality sausage links or patties
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with foil or parchment
- Arrange sausages without overcrowding and prick casings
- Flip halfway through 15-20 minute bake time
- Check internal temperature and let rest before serving
With your new sausage baking skills, you’ll be enjoying juicy, evenly-cooked links and patties in no time! Enjoy your new go-to method for easy oven-baked sausage.
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Why You’ll Love This Method
- Another option for breakfast is breakfast sausage. You can cook it in the oven while your blueberry waffles and fried potatoes and onions cook on the stove.
- Large batch cooking: If you need breakfast ideas for a big family, it’s easy to make a lot of breakfast sausage links in the oven! Just use one big baking dish or several in order to get the job done.
You only need your favorite brand of sausage links for this. Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage is my favorite, but any brand will work! (Note: Different brands can make sausage links that are different sizes or thicknesses, so if yours are bigger than mine, the cooking time may be longer.) ).
You’ll need a baking sheet large enough to space out the breakfast links so that they aren’t touching.
It’s okay if you don’t have a regular baking sheet. You can still make oven-baked sausage links with a few other types of baking pans:
- A cast iron skillet is a strong pan that keeps heat in very well. You can use it to sear your sausage links while they cook in the oven.
- Apple Silicone Baking Mat: It doesn’t stick and fits into any baking sheet or pan.
How to Make Breakfast Sausage in the Oven
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*
STEP 1. Preheat. Turn the oven on and preheat it to 350 degrees F.
STEP 2. Arrange the meat. Place the sausage links on a baking pan or dish, making sure they don’t touch as much as possible. (You can use parchment paper if you prefer but it’s not necessary. ).
STEP 3: Cook the links. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. For that perfect golden look, broil them for the last 3 minutes or so.
- Keep a close eye on the broiling: To get the best results when broiling the sausage links to get that perfect golden brown look, watch them carefully so they don’t burn. Every oven is different, and foods can quickly go from golden to burnt.
- To change the order of the links, use a spatula or tongs.
- Don’t Cram: Make sure that the raw sausage links in the baking pan don’t touch each other. This allows for even cooking and browning.
Baking breakfast sausage at 350° F in the oven can take from 12-15 minutes.
Make sure the internal temperature reaches 160-170 degrees before serving.
You can but the cooking time will be longer. For starters, bake the sausage links at 350°F for 18–20 minutes. However, the cooking time could be longer depending on the size and brand of your links. Just a reminder to make sure the internal temperature reaches 160-170 degrees before serving.