A sausage is essentially meat that has been ground up and combined with fat, preservatives, and seasonings. In the cooking process, they can be smoked, grilled, or dried. They are a staple food in countless cultures worldwide and can be made with a wide variety of different meats cooked in numerous ways. They can even range in flavor from mild, to sweet, to spicy. Sausage is widely available in grocery stores and markets wherever you live, and there are varieties available to suit everyone. There are even many vegetarian and vegan varieties widely available for those who do not consume meat.
There are many different types of sausages, like brat and Andouille. Check out this recipe at Corrie Cooks if you are interested in the brat sausage.
When it comes to making a sausage-based meal for dinner, the options available are nearly endless! Here are a few easy-to-follow recipes for your next home-cooked dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Do you hate cleaning up multiple pots, pans, and utensils after dinner? Do you have family members with varying dietary needs? Are you searching for a tasteful holiday recipe to impress your inlaws? I have categorized a few recipes below to fulfill your dinner-time desires!
Recipe with Easy Cleanup
Italian Sausage and Rice Casserole
This recipe is simple, delicious, and nutritious! It only uses one dish in the cooking process, so the cleanup process afterward couldn’t be easier! Leftovers can easily be stored and enjoyed at a later time.
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz Italian sausage (pork or sub. chicken)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced (~ 1 cup)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup of rice
- 2 cloves garlic
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 15oz can of fire-roasted tomatoes, including juices
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley as a garnish
Directions
- Begin by slicing your sausage into bite-sized pieces. Brown them over medium heat on the stovetop in a non-stick skillet. Once browned, remove them from the heat and set aside.
- Next, saute the peppers, onions, and spices in the same pan on the stovetop.
- Then, add in the rice, garlic, and red pepper and stir until combined. Once this mixture becomes fragrant, add the tomatoes and broth to the skillet.
- Bring the skillet to a boil and stir the ingredients. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover with a lid.
- Allow the dish to simmer for 15-20 minutes, and then add the sausage and remove it from the heat. Leave the skillet to sit for a few minutes off the heat while the rice tenderizes—this dish pairs excellently with a side salad or vegetables of your choice. Enjoy it!
Recipe to Suit Meat-Eaters and Vegetarians Alike!
Beer Brats
If you have a family with mixed dietary needs, it can be an arduous task to whip up a single meal that will please everyone. If you are struggling to find a recipe to suit the meat-lovers and veg-heads alike, look no further! Beer brats are simple to make and can easily be catered to those with vegetarian preferences! Most markets have a wide variety of traditional beer brats, and with a keen eye, you are sure to find a few vegans and vegetarian varieties in an isle close by.
If you are having guests over, brats are a real crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to cook as well, and you don’t have to go through hoops to know how to properly grill brats. I recommend creating a topping bar spread with all of the garnishes laid out so that everyone can make their own brat the way they like it!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients
- Brats (meat and vegetarian varieties)
- One can of beer (variety is up to personal preference, lager works well)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ red onion
- ½ red bell pepper
- Hotdog buns
For the Garnish
- Sauerkraut
- Mustard (spicy and mild varieties)
- Ketchup
- Pickles
- Onions
- Relish
Directions
- Go ahead and fire up the grill! Turn it on to a medium-high heat setting, and make sure the grate is cleaned and oiled sufficiently.
- Put your brats, onions, and beer into a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Bring your pot to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Leave for 10-12 minutes until your brats are fully cooked all the way through.
- Remove the brats from the pot and throw them on the grill! Continue to simmer the onions in the beer for later use as an optional garnish!
- Grill the brats over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until you are satisfied with the browning.
- Place in a bun and enjoy your mouth watering brat with whatever toppings suit your palate!
Recipe for the Holiday Season
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage, Apples, and Mushrooms
The dressing is an important part of a holiday dinner spread. If you are looking to spice up your usual holiday menu, venture out and try something new and bold! This holiday season, give this unique, out-of-the-ordinary recipe a chance. It is sure to delight taste buds and impress everyone at the table- including your mother in law!
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients
- 4 cups of artisan bread (i.e., ciabatta) cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups cornbread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 32 oz mushrooms (white, button, or crimini work best)
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
- ½ tsp ground sage
- 5 apples (granny smith recommended) diced
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup white wine
- 32 oz low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ tsp ground thyme
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley, minced (to taste)
Directions
- Set out your cubed bread the night before preparing this dressing, to ensure that it becomes dried out and crisped.
- Preheat your oven to 500℉
- Wash mushrooms and then dry them gently with a towel. Then, toss them in a bowl along with the olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. Spread out the mushrooms on a baking sheet (you will likely need two sheets) and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until they become deep brown in color. Remove them from the oven, and set them aside for later.
- Turn down the oven to 375℉
- Crumble up your sausage, and place it in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it has become browned, remove it from the heat and set it aside for later.
- Place the diced onions in the same skillet that you used to brown the sausage. Heat the onions for approximately 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until nicely browned.
- Turn the heat to a high setting, toss in the apples, brown sugar, and a sprinkling of salt. Cook and stir for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until they reach a nice golden brown color.
- Reduce the heat to a medium setting and add your white wine to the mix. Stir the contents, and cook for approximately 2-4 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half. Pour the contents into a separate bowl and set aside for later.
- Keep the skillet over medium heat, and add in your broth, rosemary, sage, thyme, turmeric, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat this mixture for 2-4 minutes, and then set aside for later.
- Place your cubed bread in a bowl and add the sausage, mushrooms, apples, and onion mix.
- Gradually pour the broth mixture into the same bowl while simultaneously stirring. Taste-test the mixture occasionally as you pour, and stop adding broth when it suits your taste and consistency wishes. Add any additional seasonings to taste.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish (such as an iron skillet) and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven. This dressing tastes great on its own as a side dish during the holiday season or can also be used to stuff a turkey if desired. Enjoy!
