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 linked sausage in the oven is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to prepare this breakfast staple. As someone who loves eating sausage links for breakfast but hates the mess and hassle of pan-frying them on the stovetop, I was thrilled when I discovered how simple it is to bake them in the oven instead.
In this article, I’ll share with you my tried and true method for oven-baked sausage links. You’ll learn the benefits of using the oven, what ingredients and equipment you’ll need, step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for perfect results every time. Let’s get cooking!
Why Bake Sausage Links in the Oven?
There are several great reasons why the oven is my preferred method for cooking breakfast sausage links
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No messy stovetop. When you fry sausage links in a pan, grease splatters everywhere. Baking them in the oven contains the mess.
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Even browning. The hot air circulating in the oven surrounds the sausages, resulting in evenly browned and cooked links. No more undercooked spots!
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Cooks a large batch. I can fit a lot more sausage links on a baking sheet than I can in a frying pan. So if I’m cooking breakfast for a crowd, the oven makes quick work of it.
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Easy to flip. Halfway through baking, I just use tongs to quickly flip all the sausages at once. So much simpler than trying to flip them individually in a crowded pan.
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Great flavor. The oven locks in the juices and flavor of the sausage. They turn out so tender and delicious!
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Low maintenance. Once the sausages are in the oven, you can focus on making other parts of the meal. The oven does the work for you.
Ingredients Needed
To bake sausage links, you will need just two ingredients:
- Sausage links (pork, turkey, chicken, or other variety)
- Parchment paper
I prefer to use parchment paper when baking the sausage links because nothing sticks to it. However, you can also use aluminum foil or grease your baking sheet instead.
Necessary Equipment
You’ll need just a few essential pieces of equipment:
- Baking sheet or pan
- Parchment paper (recommended)
- Aluminum foil or cooking spray (optional)
- Tongs for flipping sausages
- Oven mitt for handling hot tray
- Meat thermometer (recommended)
A standard rimmed baking sheet works well. You can also use a large oven-safe pan or casserole dish in place of a baking sheet.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for baking sausage links in the oven:
1. Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. This mid-range temperature prevents the sausages from over-browning on the outside before they finish cooking in the center.
2. Prepare baking sheet
If using parchment paper, place it on your baking sheet or pan. The paper prevents sticking.
Alternatively, you can lightly grease your baking sheet or use foil. Make sure the pan is large enough to fit all of the sausages without crowding.
3. Arrange sausage links
Place the raw sausage links on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching each other.
Leaving a bit of space between each link allows for even cooking. Try to avoid overcrowding.
4. Bake sausages
Place the baking sheet with the sausage links in the preheated 375°F oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes without opening the oven door.
Baking times may vary a bit based on the thickness of your particular sausage links. Thicker links will take a few minutes longer.
5. Flip sausages and continue baking
After 15 minutes, open the oven and use tongs to gently flip each sausage link over.
Flipping them halfway through ensures the links brown evenly on both sides. Be careful when handling the hot pan.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes, until the sausages are nicely browned and cooked through.
6. Check internal temperature
I recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the largest sausage.
They are fully cooked when the center of the sausage reaches 160°F. If not quite there yet, return them to the oven for 5 more minutes.
7. Remove from oven and serve
When the sausage links are fully cooked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use a spatula or tongs to transfer them to plates or a serving dish.
Be sure to let them rest for 1-2 minutes before eating. Then dig in and enjoy your perfectly oven-baked sausage links!
Handy Tips for Oven-Baked Sausage Perfection
Here are some of my top tips for ensuring your oven-baked sausage links turn out tender and delicious every time:
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness. This eliminates any guesswork.
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Broil the sausages for the last 1-2 minutes if you want crispy, browned edges. Just don’t walk away or they can burn quickly!
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For frozen sausage links, extend the baking time to 20-25 minutes, and flip halfway through. Check temperature.
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If baking a large batch, use multiple pans so the sausages aren’t crowded. Rotate pans halfway through for even cooking.
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Add seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, or Italian seasoning to flavor the sausages.
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Brush the sausages lightly with maple syrup during the last 2 minutes of baking for a hint of sweetness.
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Bake a big batch on the weekend to reheat for quick breakfasts throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I bake sausage links?
I recommend preheating your oven to 375°F and baking for 15-20 minutes total. This temperature prevents over-browning while fully cooking the sausages.
How long does it take to bake sausage links?
At 375°F, it takes 15-20 minutes to bake most sausage links, flipping them halfway through. Larger, thicker sausages may take up to 25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
Can you bake frozen sausage links?
Yes, frozen sausage links can go straight into the preheated 375°F oven, but they will need more time. Try baking frozen links for about 25 minutes total, flipping halfway. Check temperature.
Should sausage links touch when baking?
It’s best not to let the sausages touch each other on the baking sheet. Leaving a bit of space allows for greater air circulation and even cooking.
What temperature are sausage links done?
Sausage links are fully cooked when the internal center temperature reaches 160°F. For food safety, always check with a meat thermometer.
What can I serve with baked sausage links?
Baked sausage links pair well with breakfast staples like eggs, hash browns, pancakes, toast, fruit, and more! They also make a great dinner alongside veggies, rice, pasta, or potatoes.
More Delicious Sausage Recipes
Now that you know how easy it is to bake delicious sausage links in the oven, here are some of my other favorite recipes using sausage:
- Breakfast Casserole with Sausage, Eggs, and Hashbrowns
- Sheet Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies
- Hearty Sausage and Kale Pasta Sauce
- Cheesy Sausage and Potato Soup
- Sausage, Apple, and Sage Stuffing
- Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
- Breakfast Burritos with Eggs, Sausage, and Peppers
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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.