10+ Ground Sausage Recipes for Dinner to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Ground sausage is a super flexible ingredient—easy to cook, loaded with flavor, and brings a hearty punch of protein to your table. Whether you’re craving something mellow or a dish with a little attitude, sausage fits into all sorts of recipes without much fuss.

You can whip up quick, tasty dinners with ground sausage, perfect for those weeknights when you just can’t deal with anything complicated. Plus, it’s usually pretty affordable, which definitely helps if you’re watching your grocery bill.

Ingredients

• Ground sausage
• Basic seasonings (salt, pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
2. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Use as a base for your chosen recipe.

1) Creamy Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet

This skillet dinner is fast, filling, and honestly just hits the spot. Cook ground Italian sausage with diced potatoes and veggies, all in one pan.

The creamy sauce ties everything together and keeps it from feeling too heavy. Start by browning sausage with onions and bell peppers.

Add potatoes and a splash of cream, then let it all simmer until the potatoes are tender. One pan means less mess—always a win.

You can eat it straight from the skillet or add a side salad if you want to feel fancy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (chicken or pork)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 large bell pepper, diced
• 2-3 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup cream or milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Brown the sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Add onions and bell pepper, cook until soft.
3. Add diced potatoes and stir well. Cook until potatoes start to soften (about 10 minutes).
4. Stir in tomato paste and cream. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cover and simmer on low heat until potatoes are fully cooked (another 10 minutes).
6. Serve warm and enjoy.

For a detailed approach, see Creamy Italian Sausage + Potato Skillet.

2) One-Skillet Sausage and Peppers with Rice

If you need dinner fast, this one-skillet meal comes together with almost zero effort. Ground sausage, peppers, onions, and rice—everything cooks together in the same pan.

Brown the sausage first, then toss in sliced peppers and onions. Let them soften up a bit.

Add uncooked rice and garlic, then pour in some broth or water. Cover and let the rice soak up all those good flavors.

This meal is hearty and satisfying, especially when you want something warm but don’t want to babysit the stove.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth or water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in peppers and onions; cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add garlic and rice; stir to combine.
5. Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 18-20 minutes until rice is tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

3) Ground Sausage Lasagna

Lasagna with ground sausage? Yes, please. Brown the sausage, mix it with tomato sauce, and layer it up with noodles and cheese.

Use mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan for a creamy, melty, cheesy situation. Bake until golden and bubbly on top.

This one’s a crowd-pleaser—great for family dinners or when you want to impress a friend but not stress about it.

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 lb (450 g) ground Italian sausage
• 2 cups pasta sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
3. Brown sausage in a skillet over medium heat, then add pasta sauce.
4. Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish.
5. Layer noodles, sausage sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Repeat layers.
6. Top with Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until bubbly.
8. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

4) Sausage Pasta Skillet with Creamy Sauce

This pasta skillet is a weeknight hero. Brown sausage, then add garlic, onions, and whatever spices you love.

Melt in some cream cheese and Parmesan for a smooth, rich sauce. Stir in your cooked pasta and maybe a handful of spinach or roasted red peppers if you feel like it.

Everything comes together in one pan, which is always a plus. You get a creamy, comforting dinner in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 8 ounces pasta (penne or your choice)
• 1 cup cream cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup spinach or roasted red peppers (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
2. Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft.
4. Stir in cream cheese and Parmesan until melted and smooth.
5. Mix in pasta and optional veggies.
6. Cook for 2-3 minutes to warm through.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

For more details, check the creamy sausage pasta ideas at Tastes of Lizzy T.

5) Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Sausage meatballs in tomato sauce are simple and always satisfying. Mix ground sausage with breadcrumbs, eggs, and Parmesan.

Roll the mixture into small balls and bake until golden.

Simmer the meatballs in a garlicky tomato sauce to keep them juicy. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread—either way, it’s comfort food at its best.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix sausage, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
4. Place on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes.
5. Heat tomato sauce with garlic in a skillet.
6. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer 10 minutes.
7. Serve hot with pasta or bread.

For an easy detailed recipe, check sausage meatballs in tomato sauce here.

6) Fried Potatoes and Sausage Skillet

This skillet meal is pure comfort. Brown the sausage, then add diced potatoes and cook until they’re crispy and golden.

Toss in some onions for extra flavor and let everything mingle in the pan.

Cleanup is a breeze since it all cooks together. It’s a great option when you’re short on time but want something hearty.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 3-4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove sausage and set aside; drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add oil or butter, then potatoes and onions to the same skillet.
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crispy, about 15 minutes.
6. Return sausage to the skillet, mix, and cook for 2 more minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Fennel

Orecchiette pasta with spicy sausage and fennel is a little different but so worth trying. The pasta’s shape holds onto the sausage and sweet fennel, giving you a nice mix of heat and mellow flavors in every bite.

Caramelize the fennel in olive oil until it’s soft and sweet. Add the sausage and let it brown.

Toss in the cooked pasta and a bit of garlic. Stir everything together and finish with salt and pepper.

This one’s quick—under 30 minutes if you don’t dawdle. Pair it with a salad or some steamed veggies if you want to round things out.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces orecchiette pasta
• 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage
• 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add fennel and cook until caramelized, about 10 minutes.
3. Push fennel to the side, add sausage, and cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions.
5. Drain pasta and add to the pan with sausage and fennel.
6. Add remaining olive oil and garlic. Stir to combine and heat through.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

For more details, check this orecchiette with roasted fennel and sausage recipe.

8) Sausage and Vegetable Soup

Craving something warm and filling for dinner? This sausage and vegetable soup really hits the spot.

Start by browning ground sausage to get that deep, savory flavor going. Toss in fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers for a hearty, colorful mix.

Let everything simmer in a flavorful broth. Italian sausage adds some heat, but you can totally swap in a milder kind if that’s more your vibe.

Mix in your favorite vegetables if you want to switch things up. I love how flexible this recipe is.

Grab some crusty bread or a salad and you’ve got a full meal. It comes together quickly—plus, leftovers taste even better the next day. Not bad for a weeknight, right?

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Brown the sausage until fully cooked, then remove and set aside.
3. Add onions, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes until soft.
4. Return sausage to the pot and add potatoes and broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

For a full sausage and vegetable soup recipe, check this Sausage and Vegetable Soup guide.

9) Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Sausage and cheese stuffed peppers are one of those dinners that feel special but are actually super easy to make.

Brown the ground sausage with a few spices. Mix it with cream cheese and shredded cheese for a rich, cheesy filling.

Stuff this mixture into bell peppers—red, green, yellow, whatever you like. The sausage brings that savory punch, and the cheese melts into everything.

You can bake the peppers at 375°F (190°C) until they’re soft and the filling is bubbling. It’s a cozy, satisfying meal that doesn’t ask much from you.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound ground sausage
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
3. Cook sausage in a pan until browned; drain fat.
4. Stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted and mixed.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Stuff peppers with sausage and cheese mixture.
7. Place peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are soft.
9. Remove foil and bake 5 more minutes to brown cheese on top.

10) Ground Sausage Casserole with Cheese and Rice

This casserole is a go-to when you want something hearty but don’t have the energy for a complicated dinner.

Cook the sausage with rice, then stir in a creamy sauce and a heap of cheese. The whole thing bakes until it’s golden and bubbly.

Use any ground sausage—Italian, spicy, whatever’s in your fridge. The cheese makes it extra comforting, perfect for a chill night in.

I love that it’s all in one pan. Less mess, less fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

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

2. Toss the sausage and onion into a skillet over medium heat. Let them brown, then drain off the fat.

3. Grab a baking dish. Mix in the cooked sausage, rice, broth, milk, soup, and half the cheese.

4. Add a bit of salt and pepper. Taste it if you want—why not?

5. Slide the dish into the oven. Leave it uncovered and bake for 45 minutes.

6. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Bake for another 5 minutes, just until it’s all melty and tempting.