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 staple that can elevate everything from breakfast tacos to hearty pasta bakes. While you can cook it in the oven, the stovetop offers an easy, fast way to brown and cook ground Italian sausage to juicy perfection.
As a busy home cook who relies on quick, tasty skillet meals, I’ve made my share of ground Italian sausage over the years. Through trial and error, I’ve honed my technique to get fantastic results every time
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my proven step-by-step method along with helpful tips and tricks for cooking ground Italian sausage on the stove. You’ll learn how to achieve nicely browned, tender crumbles bursting with classic fennel seed flavor. Let’s get cooking!
Benefits of Stovetop Cooking
There are a few key advantages to cooking ground Italian sausage in a skillet on the stove versus the oven:
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Faster cooking time – Browning and cooking the sausage takes just 10-15 minutes start to finish. Much speedier than oven baking.
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Better texture – The high heat of the pan crisps up the meat and fat for delicious browned bits. The oven can’t replicate this.
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Easier to break up – It’s simpler to crumble the sausage into pieces as it cooks over direct stovetop heat
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More control – You can easily control the temperature and make adjustments as needed.
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Less mess – Containing the cooking in a pan prevents grease splatters.
For quick weekday meals, the stovetop is my go-to for flavorful, easy ground Italian sausage.
Step-by-Step Stovetop Cooking Method
Follow these simple steps for perfect ground Italian sausage off the stove:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter (optional)
- Seasonings of choice (garlic, oregano, fennel, etc.)
Directions:
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil or butter if desired.
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Add sausage and use a spoon or spatula to break up chunks as it cooks.
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Cook 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until nicely browned.
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Drain excess grease if needed. Add any extra seasonings.
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Cook an additional 2-3 minutes until sausage reaches 160°F internally.
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Remove from heat and serve sausage crumbles as desired.
In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have tasty, browned ground Italian sausage ready to enjoy!
Handy Tips for Stovetop Success
Follow these handy tips for getting the best results when cooking ground Italian sausage on the stove:
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Use a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel to prevent scorching.
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Break up the sausage into tiny crumbles as it cooks to maximize browning.
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Stir and scrape the pan frequently to incorporate browned bits.
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Cook over medium-high heat to crisp and caramelize the meat.
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Drain off excess fat if the sausage releases a lot of grease.
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Add garlic, oregano or red pepper flakes to complement the Italian seasoning.
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Let the cooked sausage rest a minute or two before serving to allow juices to absorb.
With my tricks, you’ll get fantastic texture and flavor every time you cook Italian sausage on the stove.
Troubleshooting Common Ground Sausage Issues
While cooking ground Italian sausage in a skillet usually goes smoothly, you may encounter some minor hiccups like:
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Undercooked centers – Cook the sausage a minute or two longer, breaking up pieces. Internal temp should hit 160°F.
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Tough, rubbery texture – Be careful not to overcook the sausage. Cook just until lightly browned.
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Not browning – Use high enough heat and cook in a single layer, stirring constantly.
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Burning – Reduce heat if sausage is scorching. Add a splash of liquid to deglaze.
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Too greasy – Drain excess fat from the pan before serving if needed.
With practice, you’ll be able to troubleshoot any issues and achieve perfect ground sausage every time.
Satisfying Ways to Use Ground Italian Sausage
Once you’ve mastered cooking it on the stove, ground Italian sausage can be used in all sorts of easy, flavorful meals:
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Mix into scrambled eggs or breakfast tacos for a protein punch.
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Toss with veggies and pasta for a quick sausage pasta skillet.
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Layer into lasagna, manicotti or cannelloni for a meaty Italian bake.
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Stuff into peppers, mushrooms or zucchini boats for tasty stuffed veggies.
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Add to soups, chilis or stews for hearty flavor.
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Combine with spinach, white beans and pasta for a fast one-pot meal.
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Layer into sandwiches with melted provolone or topped with marinara sauce.
The possibilities are endless for this versatile ground meat. Keep your freezer stocked so you can whip up satisfying skillet meals anytime.
Next time hunger strikes, skip the frozen meatballs and go straight for the Italian sausage. With my stovetop cooking guide, you’ll achieve meaty, flavorful crumbles in no time flat. Mangia!
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.
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“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 sausage is cooked?
Do I need oil to cook ground sausage?