21 Recipes Featuring Italian Sausage

It's a Great Go-To Protein

Meaty Ziti Bake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Whether you prefer the sweet or spicy variety, there's no denying the delicious versatility of Italian sausage. It tastes great in such a range of dishes, you could eat it several times a week without getting sick of it. Here's a selection of our favorite ways to prepare it, so grab a big batch and get cooking!

  • 01 of 21

    Beef and Italian Sausage Meatloaf

    Beef and Italian Sausage Meatloaf

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    If you're just making meatloaf with ground beef, are you ever missing out. Blending Italian sausage and beef together gives it a slightly spicier, more interesting flavor and a richer texture. For more kick, use hot Italian sausage for some or all of the sausage.

  • 02 of 21

    Italian Sausage and Lentils

    Herbed Lentils with Italian Sausage

    Cris Cantón / Getty Images

    Herbed Italian sausage and lentils is an easy and filling stew that's a unique way to highlight the anise and fennel flavors often present in the sausage. You can adjust the spice profile by choosing different types of sausage or adding various herbs to the lentils themselves. Don't forget to rinse the lentils well before using and pick through for any stones.

  • 03 of 21

    Creamy Ziti with Sausage and Peppers

    Penne pasta, thick creamy gorgonzola sauce, in white ceramic bowl, tilted angle.
    Ian O'Leary / Getty Images

    Italian sausage pasta is often made with red sauce, but this creamy baked ziti makes a nice change of pace. Plenty of melted cheese and butter makes it lusciously rich. For a meatier meal, increase the sausage to 1 pound, or make it a little lighter by using turkey sausage instead.

  • 04 of 21

    Italian Sausage and Peppers Sandwich

    Italian sausage and peppers in a pan

    One of the most classic ways to prepare Italian sausage in the Northeast is to sautée up some bell peppers and onions and grill the sausage until the whole mess is sizzling. Pile them high on a crusty roll, and you've got a satisfying sandwich that tastes just like a carnival.

    Continue to 5 of 21 below.
  • 05 of 21

    Corn Chowder with Sausage

    corn chowder

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Try this warming corn chowder with sausage and potatoes for a filling weekend lunch or a light dinner. Made with both frozen and creamed corn, it's chock full of tasty corn flavor. It's great with Italian sausage, but you can use andouille or another favorite variety, too.

  • 06 of 21

    Slow-Cooker Cornbread Sausage Dressing

    cornbread dressing

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This simple cornbread dressing is made in the slow cooker, so you can toss it together and let it cook while you do other things. It's great with any variety of sausage, and tastes delicious at any time of year even though it's traditionally a dish enjoyed in the fall. Try it with raisins or craisins, too.

  • 07 of 21

    Sausage-stuffed Mushrooms

    Stuffed Mushrooms With Italian Sausage and Parmesan
    Stuffed Mushrooms.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    If you need a tasty and impressive-looking appetizer that's a lot easier than it looks, these sausage-stuffed mushrooms are just the ticket. They're low in carbs but sure don't taste like diet food. Use hot Italian sausage or add a little cayenne pepper if you prefer spicier dishes.

  • 08 of 21

    Potato Soup with Sausage and Kale

    Sausage and Potato Soup With Kale

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This filling soup is packed with veggies and savory sausage, and it's a great way to use up extra kale, spinach, or escarole. It also works with frozen greens, which makes it an excellent choice any time of year. To make it creamier, reduce the chicken stock to 3 cups and increase the cream to 2 cups.

    Continue to 9 of 21 below.
  • 09 of 21

    Cheesy Sausage Bread

    Sausage Bread

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    You'll want to make this hearty and homey cheesy sausage bread as an appetizer for every get-together once you try it once. Either use the included recipe to make your own dough or make the recipe even quicker and easier by going with store-bought pizza dough.

  • 10 of 21

    Quiche with Cheese and Sausage

    egg and sausage quiche

     Rita Maas / Getty Images

    Made with Italian sausage and two kinds of cheese, this filling quiche also has hard-boiled eggs layered right in, for an extra dose of protein. It's also super versatile, so feel free to add chopped veggies, sliced mushrooms, or any cheeses you like best.

  • 11 of 21

    Italian Sausage Lasagna

    lasagna

    JupiterImages / Getty Images 

    Hearty, meaty, and saucy, this classic Southern Italian lasagna will be a big hit with the whole family. Use whole milk ricotta for a rich and creamy casserole and mild or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference. Serve with a green salad for a well-rounded meal.

  • 12 of 21

    Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

    crock pot party meatballs
    Party meatballs from your slow cooker.

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce makes these easy meatballs the perfect party appetizer or addition to any recipe that calls for them. Any kind of sausage can be used, but they're great with either sweet or hot Italian sausage. Use the paddle attachment on your stand mixer to make preparation even easier.

    Continue to 13 of 21 below.
  • 13 of 21

    Meat Lover's Pizza

    Meat Lover's Pizza

     Anita Schecter

    This pizza not only has sausage, it's also topped with crisp bacon and pepperoni. It's a meat lover's dream, and thanks to refrigerated pizza dough, it's also quick and easy. Add or subtract toppings to suit your tastes.

  • 14 of 21

    Grilled Italian Sausage Po' Boy

    Grilled Sausage

    mphillips007 / E+ / Getty Images

    Bring out the grill for these simple and classic po' boys that will have the whole family coming back for seconds. They lend themselves well to experimentation, so have fun adding different toppings and trying out new sausage flavors to mix it up.

  • 15 of 21

    Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage

    macaroni and cheese with sausage and peppers

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    This easy one-pot casserole takes macaroni and cheese to the next level with the addition of sausage and peppers. Make it spicy by using hot Italian sausage, or keep it kid-friendly with the milder version. Mix it up by using a variety of cheeses, if you're feeling creative.

  • 16 of 21

    Stuffed Zucchini with Sausage

    Stuffed Zucchini with Sausage
    Stuffed Zucchini with Sausage.

    Tatiana Fuentes / E+ / Getty Images

    When your garden gets overrun with zucchini, this simple and filling stuffed zucchini recipe will help use up the extra squash. It's as delicious as it is seasonal. Try it with either mild or spicy sausage.

    Continue to 17 of 21 below.
  • 17 of 21

    Sausage Calzones

    Stuffed Bread/Calzone
    Stuffed Bread/Calzone.

    Sarah Bossert / E+ / Getty Images

    Whether it's game day or you're just looking for a special crowd-pleaser, these sausage calzones will do the trick. They're even better than the local pizzeria's, and simple enough to make regularly. You can also use this recipe to make several smaller calzones, instead.

  • 18 of 21

    Baked Ziti with Sausage Casserole

    Baked ziti with ground beef

    The Spruce

    This baked ziti casserole is similar to lasagna but much easier to put together. With homemade tomato sauce, ricotta, and both ground beef and sausage, it'll satisfy your Italian cravings. It's great for a weekday meal with a side of garlic bread and a green salad.

  • 19 of 21

    Italian Sausage Pasta Sauce

    Italian sausage pasta sauce
    Italian sausage pasta sauce. Angela Sorrentino / Getty Images

    You'll never buy jarred sauce again after you try this sausage pasta sauce that will make your kitchen smell amazing. It calls for canned whole tomatoes for the best flavor, but you can use diced or crushed tomatoes too, if that's what you have on hand.

  • 20 of 21

    Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

    Sausage Pepper Onion
    rudisill / Getty Images

    For an easy weeknight supper, toss Italian sausage and peppers in the slow cooker and come home to dinner. Make sure you brown the sausages before adding them to the mix, to avoid a greasy finished product. Serve over rice or pasta with a green veggie on the side, or on rolls as sandwiches.

    Continue to 21 of 21 below.
  • 21 of 21

    Breakfast Bake with Sausage and Cheese

    Savory Breakfast or Brunch Casserole
    Savory Breakfast or Brunch Casserole.

    wsmahar / E+ / Getty Images

    Egg casserole with sausage and cheese is the perfect breakfast or brunch for a crowd since you can scale up the recipe to feed the whole crew. It comes together in one dish, so you can just pop it in the oven and enjoy spending time with your guests. Use any kind of sausage you prefer, from breakfast sausage to Italian or andouille.