10+ Ground Sausage Recipes to Spice Up Your Meal Time

Ground sausage is one of those ingredients that just makes life easier. It adds flavor and protein to meals, and honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or have a hungry crew to feed, ground sausage gives you a ton of options. You don’t need fancy skills to whip up something good.

It works in everything from breakfast to dinner. Here are some ways you can put ground sausage to work in your kitchen.

1) Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Skillet

You can throw together a creamy sausage pasta skillet in no time. Just brown some ground Italian sausage and let it mingle with a quick parmesan sauce.

Start by heating olive oil and browning the sausage. Toss in diced onions and bell peppers for a little extra something.

Once the veggies soften, add pasta, cream, and cheese. Stir until it all comes together in a thick, dreamy sauce.

The whole thing takes about 20 minutes and only uses one pan. Less mess, more flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 large bell pepper, diced
• 8 oz pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and cook 5-7 minutes until browned.
3. Stir in onions and bell peppers; cook 3-4 minutes.
4. Add pasta and enough water or broth to cook pasta until tender.
5. Pour in cream and parmesan; stir until sauce thickens.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

Find more details in the Creamy Italian Sausage One-Pan Pasta Recipe.

2) Sausage and Peppers One-Skillet Dinner

This one-skillet meal is a weeknight lifesaver. Brown ground sausage, then toss in bell peppers and onions.

Everything cooks together, so cleanup’s a breeze. The sausage juices soak into the veggies, making the whole dish juicy and full of flavor.

Serve it with rice or crusty bread to soak up the goodness. Want it cheesy? Sprinkle some on top before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon.
3. Add sliced peppers and onions. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well and serve.

For more details, see this sausage and peppers skillet recipe.

3) Ground Sausage Breakfast Muffins

Sausage breakfast muffins are a real morning win. You mix up cooked sausage, eggs, cheese, and baking mix for a grab-and-go breakfast.

They bake up in about half an hour. Make a batch ahead of time and reheat them when you need a quick bite.

Add green onions or a dash of hot sauce if you want to shake things up. Using a baking mix like Bisquick keeps it super easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar works well)
• 1 cup baking mix (such as Bisquick)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, stir together cooked sausage, eggs, cheese, and baking mix.
3. Spoon the mixture into a greased or lined muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until muffins are set and lightly golden.
5. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin.
6. Serve warm or store for later.

For more ideas, check out this Sausage Breakfast Muffins recipe.

4) Sausage and Spinach Tomato Pasta

Sausage and spinach tomato pasta is easy and fresh. Brown your sausage, then add tomatoes or tomato sauce for a quick, tasty base.

Toss in fresh spinach and let it wilt. The greens make the dish feel a little healthier, and the sausage keeps it hearty.

You can throw in garlic and herbs if you want more flavor. Serve over penne or rigatoni—whatever pasta you’ve got.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 8 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Brown the ground sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in tomatoes or tomato sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
6. Mix in cooked pasta and herbs.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

5) Sausage and Potato Breakfast Hash

Sausage and potato hash is pure comfort food. Brown the sausage, then toss in diced potatoes and cook until they’re crispy.

Add onions and herbs for extra flavor. Sweet potatoes or regular—use what you’ve got.

It all cooks in one pan, which is always a win. Top with a fried egg if you’re feeling fancy.

Check out Urban Bliss Life for more variations.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 3 cups diced potatoes (regular or sweet)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
3. Remove sausage and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add potatoes and onions. Cook until potatoes are golden and tender, about 15 minutes.
5. Return sausage to the pan, mix well, and cook another 2-3 minutes.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Serve hot.

6) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Sausage

Stuffed bell peppers with sausage are simple and satisfying. Brown the sausage, then mix it with rice, cheese, and maybe a little pesto or cream cheese.

Spoon the filling into bell peppers and bake until they’re tender. The cheese on top gets all melty and golden.

Try Italian sausage if you want more spice. Here’s a quick Italian sausage stuffed peppers recipe if you want to follow along.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound ground sausage
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds.
3. Brown sausage with garlic in a pan.
4. Mix cooked sausage, rice, tomatoes, and half the cheese.
5. Stuff peppers with the mixture.
6. Place peppers in a baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are soft and cheese is melted.

7) Sausage and Vidalia Onion Rice

Sausage and Vidalia onion rice is a one-pan wonder. Brown the sausage, then add sweet onions and let them soften.

Stir in rice and pour in chicken broth. The rice soaks up all the sausage flavor, and the onions add a gentle sweetness.

Throw in some bell peppers or extra veggies if you want more color. This is a weeknight dinner you’ll actually look forward to.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 2 large Vidalia onions, sliced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
3. Stir in the sliced Vidalia onions and cook until soft.
4. Add rice and stir to coat.
5. Pour in chicken broth, season with salt and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
7. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender.
8. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.

8) Sausage Balls Appetizers

Sausage balls are the ultimate party snack. Mix ground sausage with cheese and baking mix, then roll into bite-sized balls.

They bake up golden and cheesy. Add cream cheese if you like them a little softer.

Serve sausage balls warm with mustard or your favorite dip. They keep for a couple of days in the fridge, and you can reheat them in a pinch.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork sausage
• 2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
• 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• Optional: 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, mix sausage, baking mix, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese if you want to use it.

3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place them on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tops look golden brown.

5. Let them cool a bit before you dig in.

Try this easy recipe if you want a snack that disappears fast at parties. Looking for more ways to mix it up? Check out sausage ball recipes with cream cheese and Bisquick.

9) Easy Sausage and Cabbage Skillet

This skillet meal really hits the spot when you’re short on time but still want something homemade. You cook ground sausage with fresh cabbage until it softens up.

The flavors come together nicely, and you barely need extra ingredients. Want more taste? Toss in some onion and garlic.

A splash of vinegar brightens everything and keeps the sausage from feeling too heavy. I love that it’s all in one pan—less mess, less fuss.

This recipe skips gluten and fits into a low-carb diet. You can get it done in under 30 minutes, which is a lifesaver on busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).

2. Add the ground sausage and break it up with a spoon while it browns.

3. Toss in onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften.

4. Stir in the chopped cabbage. Cook until it’s tender, around 8-10 minutes.

5. Add vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix and cook for 2 minutes more.

6. Serve hot. Enjoy, seriously.

Want more ideas? Check out this Easy Sausage and Cabbage Skillet.

10) Sausage Lasagna with Italian Herbs

This sausage lasagna makes a cozy dinner and lets you use ground Italian sausage in a way that feels a little special. You’ll layer pasta, sausage, and cheese with herbs like basil and oregano.

Start by cooking the sausage with onion and garlic. Then pour in your favorite tomato sauce for that classic flavor.

Layer the noodles with sausage sauce, ricotta, and plenty of mozzarella. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes, covered.

Let it rest before you slice it—trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
• 1 pound (16 ounces) ground Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 24 ounces pasta sauce
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the noodles following the package instructions. Drain them well.

3. In a skillet, brown the sausage with onion and garlic.

4. Add in the pasta sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir.

5. Spoon a bit of the sausage sauce into a baking dish.

6. Layer noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and more sauce. Do it again for another layer.

7. Cover everything with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

8. Take off the foil and bake another 10 minutes to get that top golden and bubbly.

9. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before you dig in.