38 Best Sausage Recipes to Make Right Here, Right Now

Why don’t I cook with sausage more often? I know that you, fine internet stranger, most likely don’t know the answer to this. You’re not my sister, who is a vegan and would say sausage is gross, or my Italian fiancé who would say “yeah Kelly, why DON’T you cook sausage more often?” I cook ample amounts of salmon, chicken (breasts and thighs), the occasional pork chop, very occasional duck breast, and steak on special occasions. So why isn’t sausage in my repertoire? Frankly, I don’t know and after rounding up Food52’s best sausage recipes, I’m a little ashamed.

There’s just so much you can do with sausage. Soups and stews! Stuffing! One-pot pastas! Cooked in a Dutch oven or baked in a casserole dish! Sausage is a great option for a sheet pan supper alongside, let’s say, roasted cabbages, red onions, and other equally hearty veggies that feel right for fall or winter. And there’s variety too! Sweet sausage, spicy sausage, chorizo, sausage made with chicken or pork, sausage made with chicken AND pork, fennel sausage, apple sausage, Italian sausage, Chinese sausage, German sausage (aka bratwurst or knockwurst)...I’ll stop myself before I completely rewrite Forrest Gump, but you get the point.

Now I know I’m not as clearly well acquainted with sausage as I should be, but I do know it tastes better in fall and winter. That’s undeniable. Sure, sausage and peppers on a hoagie at a baseball game in the middle of summer is good. But when the temps drop, it’s delicious. So yes, I’m going to encourage putting sausage in a stick-to-your-ribs stew with a thick tomato broth or cider-mustard cream. I’m going to mix it into my beloved cornbread stuffing for Thanksgiving. And after that, I may just make my own.

1. 20-Minute Sausage & Bean Soup With Cider-Mustard Cream

Choose lean sausage made from pork, chicken, or turkey for this speedy soup that gets even more heft from cannellini beans. The Dijon-apple cider cream adds a sharp note to cut the unctuousness of the sausage.

2. Shrimp & Sausage Creole

“Simple to make (you’ll need just one skillet and about 30 to 40 minutes) and packed with flavor, this recipe comes together with help from a few key elements: the Creole seasoning blend, the ‘holy trinity’ (green bell peppers, onion, and celery), and Zatarain’s Smoked Sausage,” write our editors.

3. Chinese-Sausage Stuffing

Come Thanksgiving, I’m all about stuffing in every form. While that form is usually in a casserole dish, I’m on board with cornbread, sourdough, challah, and country white bread. Sausage is a classic ingredient to give this popular side dish some heft, but this version calls for Chinese sausage, which tends to be a little sweeter than other varieties.

4. Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Stuffing

Inspired by the beloved Italian pasta dish, this stuffing pairs two rockstar ingredients—broccoli rabe and hot Italian sausage—together. It’s like any movie with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks or Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence: if they’re in it, you know it’s going to work well together.

5. Cabbage, Sausage & Orzo Soup With Parmesan

“Looking for an easy-to-make, rib-sticking soup to warm you from the inside-out? This super cozy rendition brimming with cabbage, Italian sausage, and orzo is just the ticket,” writes recipe developer Emily C.

6. Roasted Sausage, Chard & Cannellini Beans

I’ll sing the praises of quick and easy one-skillet dinners until my throat is sore. (Can someone make me a cup of tea?) This mighty, meaty recipe is made with Swiss chard, cannellini beans, and your favorite type of sausage (pork or chicken is recommended).

7. One-Skillet Sausage, Peppers, Potatoes, and Onions

Another one-skillet dinner for the win! The title of the recipe tells you everything you need to know about what ingredients are used, but to understand just how delicious it is, well you need to taste it for yourself.

8. Soft Spicy Italian Sausage

I’d be remiss to feature an entire roundup of sausage recipes without sharing the most important recipe of all—homemade sausage! For this, you’ll need boneless pork shoulder, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and salt to give the meat a subtle spicy flavor.

9. Creamy Mushroom Pasta With Vegetarian Sausage

No-meat meat substitutes have come a long way and I’m ready to embrace them in all their savory goodness. This vegetarian pasta brings meatless sausage to center stage alongside a combination of dried and fresh mushrooms for even more might.

10. Roasted Sausage with Broccoli and Fennel

You’ve got a few problems: You want to cook dinner for your family (or just you and your partner, perhaps). You want it to be quick and easy. You don’t want a mess. You don’t want to spend a lot of money. And you want it to be balanced and satisfying. Click on the recipe below and trust that it will solve all of your problems...and then some!

11. Creamy Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

It’s not a party without stuffed mushrooms, right? I’d also say it’s not a party without a killer playlist of The Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber, but that’s neither here nor there. A combination of cream cheese, asiago cheese, and Italian sausage make the filling something worth talking about when you run out of small talk. Because who even remembers how to socialize anymore?

12. Drunken Clams with Sausage

Out of all the seafood recipes on our website, this one, the one made with sausage, is the one that our readers voted as their favorite shellfish recipe. The irony isn’t lost on me, but I can’t disagree. Littleneck clams and sweet Italian sausage in a creamy herb-laden sauce really is what dreams are made of.

13. Eggless Strata with Butternut, Sausage, Kale and Fontina

This recipe fulfills one very important need (aside from just being a delicious sausage recipe): it’s the ultimate “clean out your fridge for brunch” recipe. Make it and you won’t be embarrassed when your friends help themselves to more OJ from the fridge.

14. Sausage and Chard Mini Galettes

Tucked into a buttery cornmeal crust is a simple, but enchanting combination of mild Italian sausage, chard, and maple syrup. It’s the kind of dish that will make people say “oh wow, that’s REALLY good,” as if they didn’t know chard could taste so good (to be honest, neither did I).

15. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio e Salsiccia (Spaghetti With Garlic, Olive Oil & Sausage)

For a speedy supper to make when you and I are too tired to think or cook after work, this punchy pasta recipe will do the trick.

16. Sausage, Cheddar, and Chive Biscuit Bread

A sausage or cheddar biscuit is just as delicious alongside a breakfast omelet or eggs hollandaise in the morning as it is alongside a roast or stew for dinner. For the best-ever biscuits, combine breakfast sausage, cheddar cheese, and chopped chives into one biscuit.

17. Sausage and Apple Pie

Move aside, chicken pot pie. There’s a new savory dinner pie in town and it’s this one—it has a cheddar cheese pie dough and sausage and apple filling.

18. Tortellini with Sausage and Green Beans

There are so many ways to dress up store-bought cheese tortellini that go beyond dumping jarred marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. Here, cooked tortellini is tossed with canned tomatoes, green beans, Italian sausage, and a basil yogurt sauce for a quick and easy dinner. It’s so easy, a caveman (or a very novice cook) can do it.

19. One-Pot Penne With Sausage, Pumpkin & Fennel

“This dish combines those classic fall flavors we all love together in a one-pot pasta concept for the ultimate cozy dinner factor,” writes Kelsey Tenney.

20. White Bean and Kale Soup with Sausage

This is a keep-ya-warm bowl of soup that uses an entire pound of sausage, a big bunch of kale, cremini mushrooms, white beans, and vegetable stock.

21. Smoky Clams for Two

Finding a recipe for two can be a challenge, and finding one that’s worthy of a date night at home is even harder. You want it to be something that will feel special. After all, you’re skipping dining out and having someone else cook for you! It better be good. This simple and delicious recipe for clams and sausage will do the trick.

22. Chicken with Sausage, White Wine and Artichokes

As the name suggests, this cozy sausage recipe also features chicken thighs and marinated artichoke hearts for a hearty one-pot dinner.

23. Traditional French Cassoulet

There’s not just one star of the show when it comes to making cassoulet. I will equally celebrate the bacon, andouille sausage, and duck confit legs that all make an appearance in this chic dish that makes me immediately want to jump on a plane to Paris.

24. Alton Brown's Shrimp Gumbo

Despite the name, sausage is just as important of an ingredient in shrimp gumbo as is, well the shrimp.

25. Mussels with Fennel, Italian Sausage & Pernod

Sausage is a strong match for mussels in this recipe but really, our readers love it for the fennel flavor.

26. Roasted Sausage, Tomatoes, and Peppers

Think of this one-dish bake as deconstructed sausage and peppers (plus juicy cherry tomatoes, to boot).

27. A Warm Pan of Chickpeas, Chorizo, and Chèvre

Our editors say that this dish has a little something for everyone: “a kick of spice from the chorizo, a hint of warmth from the roasted red peppers, heartiness from the chickpeas, a pop of green from the spinach, and some soothing creaminess from the chèvre.”

28. Chickpea, Spinach, and Chorizo Frittata

Go beyond the usual ham and swiss, bacon and cheddar, or bell pepper and feta with this savory, spicy, hearty frittata.

29. Spanish Baked Rice with Chorizo and Chickpeas

“This one-pot meal is substantial enough to standalone for dinner (a simple, leafy green salad on the side wouldn't be out of place) and versatile enough to be served with meat or as part of a big spread when hosting friends,” writes recipe developer EmilyC.

30. Honey & Smoked Paprika Roasted Carrots with Chorizo, Chickpeas, and Dates

Chorizo isn’t just for a main course; it’s also a spicy accompaniment to roasted vegetables and chickpeas for a light sheet pan supper or side dish, depending on how many you’re serving.

31. Kale, Chorizo & Lentil Salad

Food Editor Emma Laperruque can’t get enough of lentil soup, so she turned it into a hearty salad with kale, smoked chorizo, French lentils, and a classic vinaigrette.

32. Potato, Chorizo, and Cheddar Breakfast Tacos

When you wake up on a Saturday morning, it can be hard to drag yourself out of bed. Not with these breakfast tacos waiting for you. Whether you’ve got the makings of everything in your fridge or a loved one is prepping them for you, this recipe works better than a 9 a.m. alarm.

33. Stewed Cannellini Beans with Chorizo and Confit Rock Shrimp

This cold weather stew is, admittedly, a bit of a labor of love to make but if you have a hankering for a cooking project and comfort food, this recipe is for you.

34. Chorizo Tacos with Slaw and Avocado

These simple tacos pack a big flavor in every bite. Fried chorizo is tucked into a corn tortilla and each one is topped with a creamy cilantro-lime dressing.

35. Huevos Rancheros With Chorizo & Porky Refried Beans

Rick Martinez’s updated and upgraded version of the Mexican breakfast classic is fit for a hungry crowd and comes together in just 15 minutes.

36. Sheet-Pan Broccoli & Chorizo Salad With Tortilla Chip Gremolata

“Looking for an unexpected way to dress up a pan of regular-old roasted broccoli? Make this hearty dinner inspired by a taco salad, simple enough to pull off any night of the week. I love everything about it: golden bits of chorizo, crispy-edged broccoli flavored through and through from rendered chorizo fat, and all manner of customizable toppings,” writes recipe developer EmilyC.

37. Carolina Shrimp & Sausage Purloo

Bacon, chorizo, homemade (or store-bought) sofrito are the highlights of this one-pot broken rice recipe, which is inspired by the culinary traditions of the Low Country and the diaspora.

38. Chèvre, Chorizo & Chocolate Panini

A sweet-meets-savory sandwich combines chocolate pieces, chevre (a version of goat cheese), and fresh chorizo sausage for one spicy bite. It may seem like an unconventional trio but once you taste it, you’ll wonder why all of your sandwiches don’t feature this combo.

What's your favorite type of sausage? Let us know how you like to cook with it!