If you want a spicy taste in your main dish, you can cook ground Italian sausage and serve it with eggs for breakfast. Its most commonly made of pork, and seasoned with salt, pepper and fennel. Instead of the pork variety, try the healthier kind made of turkey.
To cook the sausage, brown it in a pan while breaking it into small pieces. Cook it for 8 to 10 minutes, over a medium heat.
Italian sausage is a flavorful and versatile meat that can be used in everything from breakfast tacos to hearty pasta dishes. While links of Italian sausage are often grilled or pan-fried whole, ground Italian sausage requires a bit different technique to ensure it cooks up juicy, browned, and full of flavor.
Here’s a complete guide on how to cook ground Italian sausage to perfection every time
What is Ground Italian Sausage?
Ground Italian sausage is a type of pork sausage that has been seasoned with traditional Italian herbs and spices. The most common seasonings include:
- Fennel seed – Provides an aromatic, licorice-like flavor
- Garlic – Adds depth of flavor
- Black pepper – Brings a touch of heat
- Paprika – Provides a rich, red color
- Salt
It is called “ground” Italian sausage because it has been removed from the sausage casing and crumbled into loose meat, rather than left in link form. This allows it to be cooked in a skillet as crumbles, formed into patties, or incorporated into recipes
Ground Italian sausage has a savory, moderately spicy flavor profile. When raw, the meat is quite fatty, but once cooked, much of the fat renders out, leaving behind juicy, well-seasoned meat.
Tips for Cooking Ground Italian Sausage
Follow these tips when cooking ground Italian sausage on the stovetop:
Use a Heavy Skillet
Cook the sausage in a heavy cast iron or nonstick skillet to prevent sticking. The high fat content of the sausage can cause it to stick to thinner pans.
Cook Over Medium Heat
Heat the skillet over medium heat before adding the sausage. Too high heat will cause the sausage to burn before it’s cooked through.
Break Up the Meat
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up large pieces and crumbles as the sausage browns. This allows the meat to cook evenly.
Cook Until No Longer Pink
Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage loses its pink color and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
Drain Excess Fat
Tilt the skillet and use a spoon to remove any excess pooled oil or melted fat, if desired. Leave just enough to keep the meat from sticking.
Season to Taste
Add extra seasoning like fennel, red pepper flakes, or Italian herbs for more flavor.
4 Easy Methods for Cooking Ground Italian Sausage
Here are some basic ways to cook ground Italian sausage:
1. Pan-Sear in a Skillet
The most common method is to pan-sear crumbled sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Bake in the Oven
For a hands-off method, spread the sausage in a casserole dish or rimmed baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook in a Slow Cooker
Add sausage to a slow cooker with liquid like broth or tomato sauce and cook on low for 7-8 hours until tender.
4. Grill as Patties
Formed into patties and grilled over direct medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, Italian sausage grills up juicy and flavorful.
Cooking Tips for Different Types of Sausage
-
Raw Italian sausage links or patties – Pan-fry or grill from raw using medium to medium-high heat. Cook to 160°F internal temperature.
-
Pre-cooked smoked sausage – Grill or pan-fry over medium heat just until heated through, about 5 minutes.
-
Fresh breakfast sausage patties – Cook like ground beef, over medium heat until no longer pink inside.
-
Chicken, turkey, or vegetarian sausage – Follow package instructions as cook times vary. Some types can be eaten raw.
How to Use Cooked Italian Sausage
Ground Italian sausage is incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas for using cooked crumbled or chopped sausage:
- Breakfast tacos, burritos, sandwiches
- Omelets, frittatas, breakfast casseroles
- Pasta sauce, lasagna, pizza, zucchini boats
- Soups, stews, chili
- Stir fry with veggies and pasta
- Rice and sausage skillet dishes
- Sausage gravy over biscuits
With so many possibilities for Italian sausage, you’ll enjoy finding new ways to add its signature flavor and spice to meals. Just follow these tips on how to cook ground Italian sausage, and you’ll have delicious results every time. Buon appetito!
k
Cooking Ground Italian Sausage
In an interview with LIVESTRONG.com, Ariane Resnick, CNC explained how to cook ground Italian sausage. It only takes a short time to prepare on the stove top.
Video of the Day
“First, heat a pan over medium heat; and once hot, put in the sausage. Use a spatula to break it up into as many small pieces as you can. Once its well broken up, stir occasionally as it browns. Reduce heat to medium if its browning too quickly,” she explains.
Resnick says that ground sausage is done cooking when it feels firm to the touch and doesn’t give off any more liquid. The browning process typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
She says, “I don’t recommend cooking this kind of meat in the microwave because it would turn out rubbery and impossible to break apart.” However, you could easily cook whole encased sausages in the microwave.
Read more: The Easiest and Tastiest Way to Bake Turkey Sausage
How To Cook Ground Sausage
FAQ
How do you know when ground Italian sausage is cooked?
Do I need to use oil when cooking ground sausage?