How to Cook Sausage in the Oven: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need

Cooking sausage in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to make delicious sausages at home As someone who loves to cook but doesn’t always have a ton of time, I rely on my oven for cooking all kinds of meat – including sausages

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook sausages in the oven perfectly every time. From the best oven temperature, time, and pan to use to tips for getting your sausages browned but not burnt, you’ll be an oven-sausage pro after reading this.

Getting Started: Types of Sausage to Use

The first step is choosing what type of sausage to cook There are a few main options

• Fresh sausage links or patties – These contain raw meat and must be fully cooked before eating. This includes:

  • Breakfast sausage (patties or links)
  • Italian sausage (hot or sweet)
  • Bratwurst
  • Chorizo
  • Flavored sausages (cheese, apple, etc)

• Precooked or fully cooked sausage – These are safe to eat right out of the package, like kielbasa or chicken sausage. You can warm them up but don’t need to fully cook them.

• Ground sausage – This looks like ground beef or turkey. It’s great for recipes but don’t try oven-baking ground sausage alone.

For this oven method, fresh sausage links and patties work best. The precooked kind can be warmed up but don’t require the full cooking process.

Oven Sausage Cooking Essentials

Now let’s get into the oven sausage basics temperature, prep, time, etc

Oven Temperature

I find 400°F (200°C) to be the ideal oven temp for sausage. This crisps up the outside nicely without overcooking the interior.

You can also use anywhere from 350-425°F (177-218°C) – the sausage will cook through at any temp within this range.

Pan Prep

Choosing the right pan is key for even cooking and easy cleanup.

• Use a rimmed baking sheet to prevent messy spills.

• Line it with parchment paper or foil to catch drippings.

• You don’t need to grease the sausage or pan. The casings and parchment/foil prevent sticking.

Cook Time

Cooking time depends on a few factors:

• Sausage size – Small breakfast links and patties take 15-20 mins while large sausages need 25-30 mins.

• Oven temp – Lower temps increase cook time.

• Preheating – Allow 15 mins for a full preheat for best results.

To account for these variables, I recommend using an instant read thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on cook time.

Cook sausages to an internal temp of 160-165°F (71-74°C). Check package for specific safe temp.

Flipping and Rotating

For even browning, I like to flip the sausages halfway through cooking. This helps each side get direct heat contact with the pan.

If you don’t care about browning, you can skip flipping. Just rotate the sausages 180 degrees midway for even cooking.

Step-by-Step Oven Sausage Cooking Instructions

Now let’s walk through the full oven sausage cooking process from start to finish:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Allow 10-15 minutes to fully preheat.

2. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

3. Arrange sausages on the sheet, leaving a little space around each for airflow.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes for small breakfast sausage. Bake large sausages for 25-30 minutes.

5. Flip/rotate sausages halfway through baking. This helps brown both sides evenly.

6. Check temperature with an instant read thermometer to ensure sausages reach 160-165°F (71-74°C).

7. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

And that’s it – you’ve just cooked sausages to perfection in your oven!

Oven Sausage Tips and Tricks

Here are some extra pointers to ensure your oven-baked sausages turn out great every time:

• Use fresh raw sausage links/patties – the oven method works best with uncooked fresh sausage.

• Dimple the center of patties with your finger to prevent puffing up.

• Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end if you want more browning on the sausages.

• Don’t pierce the casings – this will cause the sausages to dry out.

• Cook frozen sausage straight from freezer, it just takes a bit longer.

• Use convection setting if your oven has it for faster, crispier sausages.

• Cook at same time as other dishes – the oven temp can match whatever else you’re making!

Storing and Reheating Oven-Baked Sausage

Like most cooked meats, leftover oven sausage keeps well in the fridge:

• Store sausages in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

• You can also freeze cooked sausage for 1-2 months.

To reheat, I suggest using the microwave or warming up gently in a low (250°F) oven until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common oven sausage questions:

Should I prick or poke the casings?

No, piercing the casings causes the sausage to dry out. Leave them intact.

Can I use a baking dish instead of a sheet pan?

Yes, any oven-safe pan with sides will work. The ridges on a sheet pan promote browning.

What’s the best way to reheat oven sausage?

Microwaving or warming at 250°F works well. Don’t overcook or the sausage will be dry.

Can I cook frozen sausages in the oven?

Absolutely! Add 5-10 extra minutes to the cook time if starting with frozen sausage.

What if my oven sausage is undercooked?

Return it to the oven and cook 5 mins more, checking the temperature again. Never eat undercooked sausage.

The Takeaway

As you can see, oven baking is one of the easiest, most foolproof ways to cook sausage to perfection. With the right temperature, prep, cook time, and safety precautions, you can make delicious sausages any night of the week.