Mastering the Art of Cooking Sausage in Sauce

If you want to make an Italian sausage in a rich tomato sauce, this recipe is for you. Sunday Sauce has never tasted so good!

I’ve been making this recipe since I was a little girl. As a child, my mother and Italian grandmother taught me how to make it every Sunday, and I’m so happy to share it with you now.

Cooking sausage in sauce is a simple yet extremely delicious technique that brings out the best in both the sausage and the sauce. When done right the sausage becomes infused with flavor incredibly moist and tender, while the sauce soaks up all the tasty juices. This method elevates an ordinary dish into a mouthwatering feast.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about cooking sausage in sauce. You’ll learn how to select the best sausages, make easy homemade sauces, find sauce and sausage pairings, proper cooking techniques, serving suggestions, as well as troubleshooting tips. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Best Sausage for Cooking in Sauce

The first step is selecting high-quality sausages that will shine when paired with sauce. Here are some top options:

Italian sausage – Spicy or sweet, Italian sausage has bold seasoning that stands up well to robust sauces like marinara.
Bratwurst – These German sausages have a delicate pork and veal texture that pairs nicely with mustard sauces.
Kielbasa – Smoky Polish kielbasa has a rich flavor that complements creamy sauces
Chorizo – The paprika in Spanish chorizo lends itself to tomato or cheese-based sauces.
Andouille – Spicy Cajun andouille sausage loves being cooked in Creole tomato sauces.

For the best results, choose sausages with a natural casing. Avoid pre-cooked sausages, which won’t absorb as much sauce flavor.

Crafting the Perfect Sauce for Sausage

You can buy pre-made sauce or whip up something homemade. Here are easy sauce options for cooking sausage:

Marinara – A classic! Simmer sausage in garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, basil.
Beer and mustard – For brats. Combine beer, mustard, onions, garlic.
Vodka cream – A rich sauce. Sauté shallots and garlic, add vodka and cream.
Buffalo – Tangy, spicy. Melt butter with hot sauce and spices.
Barbecue – Sweet, tomatoey. Use your favorite bottled or homemade BBQ sauce.

Get creative with ingredients! Beans, mushrooms, peppers, honey and different herbs all make great sauce additions.

Tips for Cooking Sausage in Sauce

Once you’ve selected your main ingredients, it’s time to start cooking. Follow these tips:

Brown the sausage first – This adds nice color and seals in the juices. Do this in a skillet before adding sauce.
Simmer slowly – Low, gentle heat allows the flavors to mingle without overcooking.
Partially cover – Leave a little gap for steam to escape and help thicken the sauce.
Turn the sausage – Occasionally rotate or flip the sausages to evenly coat in sauce.
Add liquid if needed – Splash in broth, wine, or water if the sauce gets too thick.
Finish uncovered – Cook uncovered at the end to reduce and intensify the sauce.
Check doneness – Cut to ensure sausage is cooked through. Ideal internal temperature is 160°F.

Sauce and Sausage Pairing Suggestions

Certain sauces simply go better with particular sausages. Try these winning combinations:

Italian sausage + marinara
Bratwurst + mustard sauce
Kielbasa + creamy mushroom sauce
Chorizo + roasted red pepper sauce
Andouille sausage + Cajun tomato sauce

Of course, you can always break the rules and get creative. The beauty of cooking sausage in sauce is that it’s open to improvisation!

Serving Ideas for Sausage in Sauce

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving sausage that’s been cooked in sauce. Here are some mouthwatering ideas:

Over pasta – tosses the sausage and sauce with hot noodles.
On sub rolls – just spoon that flavorful sausage and sauce onto a bun.
With veggies – serve sausages and sauce over roasted potatoes, peppers, etc.
On pizza – top dough with sauce, sausage crumbles, cheese.
In tacos or burritos – slice up sausage and add to tortillas.
On nachos – pile those tortilla chips high with sausage and sauce.
In scrambled eggs – dice up cooked sausage and mix it into fluffy eggs.

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to serving sausage bathed in sauce! Play around to find your favorite presentations.

Troubleshooting Sausage Cooked in Sauce

While this cooking method often leads to amazing results, you may encounter a few hiccups. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Problem: Sausage is tough and chewy

Solution: Don’t overcook. Simmer gently and remove from heat at 160°F internal temp.

Problem: Sauce is too watery

Solution: Cook uncovered to reduce liquid. Mix in a slurry to thicken.

Problem: Sauce is burned or sticks to pan

Solution: Use lower heat. Deglaze pan with wine or broth to loosen stuck bits.

Problem: Sausage bursts or doesn’t absorb sauce

Solution: Use a natural casing and pierce before cooking. Simmer low and turn sausages.

With a bit of trial and error, you’ll be able to master cooking sausage in sauce for delicious results every time. Have fun experimenting!

Final Thoughts on Cooking Sausage in Sauce

When prepared properly, sausage cooked in sauce is an incredible simple dish that’s sure to satisfy. The savory sausage takes on wonderful nuanced flavor from the sauce, while the sauce absorbs richness from the meat. This versatile cooking method allows you to mix and match ingredients for infinite tasty creations. From classic marinara-sauced Italian sausages to beer-infused brats simmered in mustard, the options are endless. For a fast weeknight dinner or impressive company meal, cooking sausage in sauce never disappoints. Armed with the guidance above, you can now infuse flavor into sausage, make easy homemade sauces, nail sauce and sausage pairings, cook everything to perfection, get creative with serving ideas, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. So grab your favorite sausages and ingredients for sauce, and get ready to become a master of this mouthwatering cooking technique. Your tastebuds will thank you!

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Other Italian Dishes You’ll Love

Yes. When I make a lot, I put the sauce and a couple of sausages in freezer-safe containers and freeze them in single servings to eat on busy nights. It can freeze for up to 3 months.

Place in an airtight containder for up to three days.

Why This Recipe Works

The sauce tastes much better when it’s cooked slowly with the sausage.
The fresh basil adds sweetness cutting down on the acidity.
It has the best flavor because it has fresh garlic and herbs in it.

Preparing Italian Sausage for the Spaghetti Sauce!

FAQ

Should I cook sausage before putting in sauce?

By browning the sausages first and then cooking them in the sauce at a long, slow simmer, the sausage is loaded with flavor and firm, but tender–almost meatball-like in texture.

Can you cook sausages in a sauce pan?

And it’s never let us down. Here’s how to do it. To start, drop your sausages into a large pot or saucepan and fill it with enough cold water to just cover the sausages. Put the vessel on the stove, turn the heat to medium-high, and cook just until the water reaches a gentle simmer—that should take about 6-8 minutes.

How do you cook sausage in liquid?

Fresh Sausage Add water to cover sausage and par-boil until sausage is grey throughout (about 10 to 15 minutes.) The sausage then can be fried until nicely browned. Parboiled sausage also may be grilled slowly over coals, turning frequently until grey-brown throughout.

What is the best cooking method for sausages?

In summary, it is important to cook raw — or even pre-cooked — sausages completely before you eat them. This can be done in many ways. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Also, make sure you don’t eat overly charred or burnt sausages, which can have high amounts of harmful compounds.

Can you cook sausage in sauce?

Yes, you can use various types of sausage for cooking in sauce. The choice of sausage depends on your personal preference and the flavor profile you want to achieve. Popular options include Italian sausage, bratwurst, chorizo, or even vegetarian sausages. Should I cook the sausage before adding it to the sauce?

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 long do you cook sausage in sauce?

Reduce the heat to low and let the sausages simmer in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper according to your preference.

How to cook Italian sausage?

To brown Italian sausage, you can heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Place the sausages in the pan and cook them for a few minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown color. Alternatively, you can grill or bake them in an oven at around 375°F (190°C) until they are nicely browned.