Baking Breakfast Sausages in the Oven is an easy foolproof method for cooking sausage links or patties. These easy-to-cook sausages are ready in just 20 minutes.
Breakfast sausage is one of our favorites for weekends and holiday breakfast. When Im just cooking up a few pieces, I normally cook it on the stovetop. But I bake the sausage in the oven when I need to make a lot of it or when I don’t want to move my hands from the stove.
The first time I baked sausages was for a Mothers Day brunch. We were having a large group of people over for brunch and offered a wide selection of dishes. I decided to bake the sausages and they turned out perfectly.
This method works well for both sausage links and sausage patties. I also use this method for baking Italian Sausages!.
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
As a busy parent, I’m always looking for quick and easy breakfast solutions to feed my hungry family. One of our favorites is breakfast sausage – so flavorful and protein-packed. However, pan-frying sausage on the stovetop can be messy and time-consuming. Fortunately, I discovered a trick for baking sausages in the oven with perfect results every time.
In this article, I’ll share my foolproof method for oven-baked breakfast sausages along with tips to take them from basic to gourmet. Say goodbye to splattering grease and hello to convenience with these step-by-step oven sausage instructions.
Benefits of Cooking Sausage in the Oven
While the stovetop may seem like the obvious cooking method for sausage, the oven has some clear advantages:
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Even browning – The hot air circulates evenly around each sausage link.
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Hands-free cooking – Simply pop them in the oven and go about your morning.
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Less mess – Without a frying pan, there’s minimal splatter and cleanup.
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Versatile batch sizes – Easily cook a few links or a couple packs at once,
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Moist interior – The indirect heat prevents overdrying the sausage meat.
With all those perks, it’s easy to see why oven-baking is my go-to sausage preparation.
Step-by-Step Method
Cooking sausage in the oven is surprisingly simple. Just follow these steps:
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 400°F to ensure the sausages cook through without burning.
2. Prepare a Pan
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for no-fuss cooking and cleaning.
3. Arrange the Sausages
Place sausage links or patties on the sheet with a little space around each one.
4. Cook Uncovered
No need to tent foil over the sausages. Direct oven exposure promotes even browning.
5. Flip Midway
Rotate the sausages after about 12 minutes to cook both sides.
6. Check for Doneness
Cook until completely browned outside and 160°F inside, about 20-25 minutes total.
And that’s all it takes for evenly cooked oven-baked sausage perfection!
Helpful Tips and Variations
While the basic oven method works beautifully, a few tweaks can take your breakfast links to the next level:
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating with olive oil enhances browning and flavor.
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Season generously – Sprinkle on garlic powder, paprika, roasted onion flakes, or other spice blends.
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Pair with vegetables – Roast seasoned potatoes, onions, or peppers right alongside.
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Finish under the broiler – Crackle the casings by broiling for 1-2 minutes.
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Mix sausage styles – Combine different meat varieties for a custom blend.
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Make meatballs – Form sausage meat into balls for a fun twist.
With these oven-baking tricks, you can enjoy restaurant-quality sausage from your own kitchen.
Choosing the Best Sausage for Baking
While the oven technique works for any type, certain sausage varieties are especially well-suited to baking:
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Uncased links – Lacking the collagen casing, unlinked sausage patties bake up extra juicy.
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Spicy options – Bold flavored sausages like chorizo and andouille develop even more intensity.
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Fresh sausage – Without curing salts, fresh sausage benefits from the oven’s gentler heat.
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Turkey or chicken – The leaner white meat takes well to the dry oven environment.
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Pre-cooked sausage – Fully cooked links just need warming through.
Test out different kinds of sausage to discover your oven-baked favorites.
Quick and Easy Breakfast Recipes
Now that you’ve mastered baking sausages, it’s time to incorporate them into easy morning meals:
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Sausage sandwiches – Tuck sausage patties between biscuits or buns with cheese and egg.
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Breakfast tacos – Wrap baked sausage in warmed tortillas with scrambled eggs and salsa.
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Sausage hash – Sauté pre-roasted sausage with potatoes, peppers, and onions.
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Breakfast pizza – Top a crisp crust with sausage crumbles, cheese, and scrambled eggs.
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Sausage egg cups – Combine sausage, egg, and cheese in muffin tins for hand-held breakfasts.
With minimal prep time, you can whip up so many incredible oven-sausage dishes for your family. Just cook once, eat all week!
So save yourself time and mess by embracing the easy oven baking method for breakfast sausage. Crispy, juicy links and patties can be enjoyed in endless quick recipes. I hope these tips help you make the most of this flavorful morning staple.
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How to cook breakfast sausage
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- Place sausages on a baking sheet. If you want to make cleanup easier, I like to line my baking sheet with parchment paper. But you can leave it blank if you’d rather.
- After putting the sausages in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, turn them over once halfway through the cooking time.
- Check to make certain sausages are fully cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 160°F.
- Serve hot.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
- Leave a bit of space between sausages.
- Use links or patties.
- Spray a nonstick spray on the baking sheet before adding the patties if you are not using parchment paper and are using patties.
- Turn, rotate or flip the sausage partway through cook time.
- When the internal temperature reaches 160°F or there is no more pink meat, the sausage is done.
- The cooking time will depend on the oven you use, the size of your sausages, and how many you are cooking.
- As long as the sausage fits on the pan, you can cook it.
Yes, frozen sausages can be cooked in the same manner. You will need to add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
Yes, larger-sized sausages can be cooked in the oven. Increase the cooking time and make certain the sausages are fully cooked through.
Serve with your favorite breakfast items. Some favorites include
Post a picture of yourself making this recipe and tag me @beyondthechickencoop on Instagram. If you do, I’d love to hear about it!
Check out all my delicious breakfast recipes!
Easy Breakfast Sausage Links in the Oven
FAQ
How long to cook breakfast sausage at 350?
How long to cook sausage in the oven at 400 degrees?
What is the best way to cook sausages in the oven?
How do you bake breakfast sausage in the oven?
Follow these simple steps to bake breakfast sausage in the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup a breeze. Place the breakfast sausages on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not touching each other.
Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?
Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.
How do you eat breakfast sausage?
Once the sausages are cooked to perfection, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Serve them alongside your favorite breakfast sides like eggs, pancakes, or toast. Cooked this way, breakfast sausages come out juicy, flavorful, and hassle-free.
How do you make breakfast sausage taste good?
Make it mild, spicy, or even sweet by adding a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup. Any Time of Day: Sausage isn’t just for breakfast, it’s great in casseroles or even for appetizers. Make it Lean: Use ground turkey or lean ground beef if you’d like. What Gives Breakfast Sausage Its Flavor?