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].
Brown and serve sausage is a versatile breakfast staple loved by many. Pre-cooked and conveniently packaged, these sausages require minimal preparation to deliver maximum flavor With a few simple tricks, you can take ordinary brown and serve sausage from boring to extraordinary
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to cook brown and serve sausage to perfection
What is Brown and Serve Sausage?
Brown and serve sausage is a type of pre-cooked pork breakfast sausage. It has been partially cooked and smoked during manufacturing, giving it that classic smoked sausage flavor. The sausages come fully cooked but not browned, so they require a quick cooking method to heat them through and crisp the outside.
This style of sausage is convenient, budget-friendly, and available in different flavors like maple, sage and hot & spicy. Popular brands like Jimmy Dean, Owen’s and Bob Evans make high-quality brown and serve sausages.
How to Cook Brown and Serve Sausage
Brown and serve sausages come pre-cooked, so they just need to be quickly heated through until warmed and browned on the outside. There are several easy cooking methods to choose from.
In the Microwave
The microwave provides the quickest and easiest way to cook brown and serve sausage.
Here is a simple microwave cooking method:
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Take the sausages out of the packaging. Place them in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels, leaving some space between each sausage.
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Microwave on high power based on the number of sausages:
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5 sausages – microwave for 1 minute
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10 sausages – microwave for 2 minutes
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For 10 sausages, rearrange them halfway through cooking for even heating.
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After microwaving, let the sausages stand for 1 minute before serving. The standing time finishes the cooking process.
This quick microwave method yields sizzling hot, juicy sausage in just minutes. The paper towels absorb excess grease.
On the Stovetop
Pan-frying on the stovetop is a classic technique for achieving browned, crispy sausage.
Follow this stovetop method:
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a teaspoon of oil or butter to coat the pan.
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Place the sausages in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side.
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Flip the sausages and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until both sides are browned. Reduce heat if the sausages brown too quickly.
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Optional: For extra flavor, try caramelizing some onions or peppers in the pan before cooking the sausage. The browned bits in the pan will add lots of flavor.
The stovetop method requires more time and attention than the microwave, but the end result is sizzling, crispy sausage full of flavor.
In the Oven
The oven allows you to cook large batches of brown and serve sausage evenly.
Follow this oven method:
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Pre-heat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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Arrange the sausages on the baking sheet without overcrowding.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping the sausages halfway through. They are ready when browned on both sides.
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Optional: Add sliced bell peppers, onions, or potatoes to the pan for a sheet pan meal.
The hot oven air will circulate around the sausages for an evenly browned exterior. The oven frees up your stovetop space for cooking other items.
On the Grill
Cooking brown and serve sausage on the grill adds delicious smoky flavor.
Follow this grilling method:
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Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
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Place the sausages directly onto the grill grates. Close the grill lid.
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Grill for 4-5 minutes on the first side. Flip and grill 4-5 minutes on the second side with the lid closed.
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Optional: Wrap sausages in foil with onions, peppers, and seasoning for added moisture and flavor.
The grill sears the outside and imparts a lovely smokiness. Feel free to get creative with marinades and spice rubs on the sausage before grilling.
In the Air Fryer
For a oil-free cooking method, the air fryer makes deliciously crispy brown and serve sausage.
Here is an air fryer method:
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Pre-heat your air fryer to 380°F.
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Place sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
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Air fry for 6-8 minutes until browned and sizzling. Flip the sausages halfway through.
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Optional: Spritz the sausages with a little oil for added browning and crispness.
The hot circulating air will perfectly brown the sausages all over without any added oil. Enjoy the ease and convenience of the air fryer!
Serving Suggestions
Brown and serve sausage is endlessly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve it:
- Breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese on an English muffin
- Breakfast burrito with peppers, onions, eggs, and cheese
- Scrambled eggs with crumbled sausage mixed in
- Sausage gravy over biscuits or mashed potatoes
- Pizza topping
- In pasta dishes like ziti, baked pasta, or pasta salad
- Crumbled on top of a salad
- Breakfast tacos with salsa, cheese, and peppers
- Breakfast casserole or strata
- On a breakfast charcuterie board with cheeses, fruits, and nuts
With so many options, you’ll never get bored with brown and serve sausage! It’s a lean protein that gives a flavor boost to any meal.
Tips for Perfect Brown and Serve Sausage
Follow these tips for the very best results when cooking brown and serve sausage:
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Don’t overcook – Brown and serve sausage is pre-cooked, so it just needs to be heated through until hot and browned. Avoid overdoing it or the sausage will be dry.
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Use a meat thermometer – Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures the sausage is safe to eat.
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Cook thoroughly – Be sure to cook or reheat the sausage thoroughly to avoid any food-borne illnesses. Sausage patties should not have any pink color inside.
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Drain excess grease – Blot sausage with paper towels to remove excess grease for a healthier result.
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Cook in batches – Avoid overcrowding the pan or baking sheet to ensure even browning.
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Let rest before serving – Let the cooked sausage rest for 1-2 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. This makes for juicier sausage.
Follow these simple tips and your brown and serve sausage will come out perfectly sizzling, browned, and full of flavor every time.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Brown and serve sausage keeps well for several days in the fridge and can be easily reheated. Here are some storage tips:
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Let sausage cool completely before storing. Store in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
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For longer storage, freeze sausage for 2-3 months in an airtight freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Reheat sausage thoroughly on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven until hot, 165°F.
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Refrigerate any leftover reheated sausage and enjoy within 3-4 days. Do not re-freeze previously cooked sausage.
With proper storage methods, you can enjoy quick sausage meals throughout the week.
Make Ordinary Mornings Extraordinary
Brown and serve sausage requires minimal work to deliver maxiumum flavor. With the easy cooking methods in this guide, you can level up your breakfast sausage game. Wake up your tastebuds with sizzling, crisp sausage and endless serving possibilities. Take your mornings from boring to extraordinary with delicious brown and serve sausage.
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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.
What to Serve with Breakfast Sausage
You can eat breakfast sausage by itself, as a side dish, or even as a part of another dish, like in these breakfast pigs in a blanket.
These sausage links go great with sweet breakfast dishes like these strawberry scones or this easy pancake recipe!
Or of course, serving breakfast sausage links with the classic white gravy and homemade biscuits.
You should let leftover breakfast sausage cool completely before putting it in a container that won’t let air in and putting it in the fridge. Consume the sausage within 3-4 days.
Reheat any leftover sausage in the microwave, oven, or even in the air fryer.
How To Cook Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Sausage Links
FAQ
What is the best way to cook brown and serve sausage?
Are brown and serve sausages already cooked?
How do you cook heat and serve sausage?
How to cook brown n serve sausage in an air fryer?