10+ Sausage Recipes to Spice Up Your Dinner Tonight

Sausage is such a flexible ingredient—you can toss it into just about any meal, from quick snacks to big, comforting dinners. It brings a punch of flavor and protein, and you barely need to fuss with it.

You’ll find sausage recipes here that are easy, tasty, and fit for all sorts of occasions.

Maybe you’re into Italian sausage, kielbasa, or spicy chorizo. There are tons of easy ways to use them in your kitchen.

Cooking sausage doesn’t require any complicated steps. With a few basics, you’ll have a delicious meal that just about everyone will want seconds of.

Ingredients

• Sausage (your choice, such as Italian, smoked, or chorizo)
• Vegetables like bell peppers and onions (optional)
• Cooking oil or butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil or butter.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes.
3. If using, add chopped vegetables and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Serve hot and enjoy your simple sausage dish.

1) Italian sausage with peppers and onions

Italian sausage with peppers and onions is a classic you can whip up fast. It mixes savory sausage with sweet peppers and onions for a meal that’s hard to resist.

Start by browning the sausage in a pan—get some color on it. Push the sausage aside, toss in sliced onions and peppers, and cook until they’re soft and smell amazing.

This combo works well on its own or stuffed inside a sandwich. Use sweet or spicy Italian sausage, depending on your mood.

The dish is easy to tweak and comes together in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove sausage and set aside.
4. Add onions and peppers to the pan; cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Return sausage to the pan; mix with vegetables and cook 2 more minutes.
6. Serve warm.

You can find more details about this recipe on Allrecipes.

2) Kielbasa and sauerkraut skillet

This kielbasa and sauerkraut skillet is easy and full of flavor. Brown the kielbasa in butter or oil until it gets a nice crust.

Add sauerkraut and a bit of brown sugar to mellow out the tang. The smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors play off each other.

It’s a one-pan dinner, so cleanup’s a breeze. Onions or bell peppers add some extra flavor and color if you want.

Serve it with bread or potatoes for a heartier meal.

Ingredients

• 14 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add kielbasa slices and brown until crisp, about 5 minutes.
3. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in sauerkraut and brown sugar.
5. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

3) Chorizo and rice casserole

Chorizo and rice casserole is a one-dish wonder that’s both simple and satisfying. The spicy sausage gives the rice, beans, and veggies a real kick.

Brown the chorizo with onions and peppers first. Add rice, beans, corn, and tomatoes next.

Let everything simmer together until the rice is tender and the flavors meld. If you’re cooking for a family or prepping meals for the week, this one’s a solid pick.

Adjust the spice level by picking mild or hot chorizo.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chorizo sausage
• 1 cup rice
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups broth
• 1 tsp chili powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brown chorizo in a large pan, then add onions and peppers.
3. Mix in rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, chili powder, and broth.
4. Transfer to a casserole dish and cover.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until rice is cooked.

4) Smoked sausage with broccoli and mozzarella

Smoked sausage with broccoli and mozzarella is a quick, flavorful meal. Start by browning the sausage in a skillet.

Add fresh broccoli and cook until it’s just tender. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and cover so it melts into a gooey layer.

This meal is great for weeknights. Serve it solo or with rice, bread, or whatever you’ve got handy.

You can swap in your favorite spices or veggies if you’re feeling creative.

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Cook sliced sausage for 3-4 minutes, turning until browned.
3. Add broccoli and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and cover skillet.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

5) Homemade pork breakfast sausage

Making pork breakfast sausage at home is surprisingly easy, and you get to pick the flavors you like. Use ground pork and season it with herbs like sage, thyme, and a touch of brown sugar.

Mix in salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic for a balanced taste. Shape the mix into patties or links, and cook them in a skillet until they’re browned and cooked through.

If you use pork shoulder or a combo of pork and pork fat, you’ll get juicy sausage. Add paprika or cayenne if you want a little extra heat.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Form the mixture into patties or links.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Cook sausage 4-5 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked.
5. Serve warm.

Try this recipe for a fresh take on homemade breakfast sausage like the one from The Country Cook.

6) Cajun sausage and rice skillet

Cajun sausage and rice skillet is a quick meal with a ton of flavor. Andouille sausage and bell peppers make it hearty and colorful.

You can cook everything in one pan, which is always a bonus. The smoky paprika and herbs bring a nice kick, but it’s not too spicy unless you want it to be.

The rice soaks up all the sausage juices—so good. This dish takes about 30 minutes, so it’s great for those nights when you just want dinner fast.

Ingredients

• 14 oz Andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup rice
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in onion and bell pepper, cook 3-4 minutes.
4. Add rice, smoked paprika, and oregano; stir well.
5. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 18-20 minutes until rice is tender.
7. Fluff rice with a fork and serve warm.

Learn more about this recipe here.

7) Sausage-stuffed fried olives

Sausage-stuffed fried olives are a snack that’s a little out of the ordinary. Fill big olives with a mix of ground sausage and cheese.

Fry them until the outside is crisp and the sausage is cooked through. These are perfect for parties or just when you want something different.

Serve with lemon wedges or garlic sour cream dip for extra zing. Use mild Italian sausage and pecorino Romano cheese for the filling.

Press the olive halves together firmly around the sausage mix before frying. They bubble and crisp up in about three minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds mild Italian pork sausage, casings removed
• 2 ounces pecorino Romano cheese, grated
• Large green olives, pitted and halved
• Oil for frying
• Optional: lemon wedges and garlic sour cream dip

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sausage and cheese in a bowl.
2. Stuff each olive half with the mixture, then press halves together.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry olives until golden and sausage is cooked, about 3 minutes.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

8) Roasted Merguez Sausage with Apples

If you haven’t tried spicy merguez sausage with sweet apples, you’re missing out. Roasting them together with onions brings out a mix of bold and sweet flavors.

Pick apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady—they hold up well when cooked. Toss apple wedges with red onions, garlic, and fresh thyme for more flavor.

This recipe is a breeze for a sheet pan meal. Just roast everything together and you’re done.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds merguez sausage (links or coil)
• 3 Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples, cut into wedges
• 3 red onions, sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Toss apples, onions, thyme, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper together in a big bowl.

3. Spread everything out on a baking sheet.

4. Nestle the sausage right in with the apples and onions.

5. Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning things over halfway through.

6. Serve warm. Enjoy!

9) Sausage pasta with creamy sauce

Sausage pasta with creamy sauce is one of those fast, cozy meals you can whip up any night. Cream, parmesan, and savory sausage all come together for something that feels a little special but doesn’t take forever.

Start by browning the sausage in a pan. Add garlic and onions for a deeper flavor.

Pour in cream and toss in the cheese—let it melt into a smooth, rich sauce. The pasta gets coated in all that goodness.

You can use mild or spicy Italian sausage, whatever you like. Fresh sage or parsley gives it a nice lift, but honestly, it’s delicious either way.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 8 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or sage (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package, then drain it.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).

3. Add sausage and cook until it’s browned, breaking it up as you go.

4. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until they’re soft.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and let it come to a simmer.

6. Add parmesan cheese and stir until it melts.

7. Toss in the cooked pasta and heat everything through.

8. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs if you want.

9. Serve warm.

For more details, check out this creamy Italian sausage pasta recipe.

10) Duck sausage with caramelized onions

Duck sausage and caramelized onions are such a great match. You cook the sausage in a pan until those tasty crispy bits show up, which gives the dish a richer flavor.

Then, use the same pan to slowly cook thinly sliced onions. After about 15-20 minutes, they’ll turn golden and sweet.

Mix the onions with the duck sausage for a delicious combo. You can serve this on its own, over rice, or stuffed into a sandwich.

Simple, but honestly, it tastes pretty gourmet for something so easy.

Ingredients

• Duck sausages (4-6)
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a dry pan and set it over medium heat. Toss in your duck sausages and cook them for about 10 minutes, letting them get nice and crispy.

2. Take the sausages out and set them aside for now.

3. Using the same pan, pour in some olive oil. Add the sliced onions.

4. Keep the heat low and stir the onions often. Let them cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

5. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to season the onions.

6. Put the sausages back in with the onions. Stir everything together and cook for another couple of minutes.

7. Serve it up while it’s still warm.

See more details on baked mac n cheese with caramelized onions and duck sausage.