My Italian sausage recipes are perfect for any occasion, and there are a ton of ways to turn this tasty, savory meat into a family dinner! From meatballs to sausage links to casseroles, this list has everything. I've even added some delicious Italian-inspired pasta dishes to try.
Complete your meal with my favorite side dishes, or look at my complete guide on how to cook Italian sausage.
Jump to:
- 1. Air Fryer Italian Sausage
- 2. Stuffed Italian Sausages
- 3. Smoked Italian Sausages
- 4. Air Fryer Sausage & Peppers
- 5. Sausage Dogs
- 6. Italian Sausage Bake
- 7. Baked Italian Sausages
- 8. Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese With Smoked Sausage and Broccoli
- 9. Baked Italian Meatballs
- 10. Baked Rigatoni
- 11. Air Fryer Meatballs
- 12. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
- 13. Pasta e Fagioli Soup
- 14. Italian Sausage Soup
- 15. Homemade Italian Sausage Pizza
- 16. Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Italian Sausage
- 17. Stuffed Manicotti with Italian Sausage
- Tips For Cooking Italian Sausage
- 🐖 😋 More Tasty Sausage Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 17 Best Italian Sausage Recipes Your Family Will Love: Baked Italian Meatballs +More!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
If you're wondering what to do with the Italian sausage that's in your fridge, you might be surprised by how many options you have. Of course, you can always stick to serving links on a bun or use the ground version to toss in pasta, but you're not limited to these things.
In this list, I've put together the best Italian recipes for when you are looking for something delicious. There's everything from casseroles to soups, so I know you'll find something for you.
1. Air Fryer Italian Sausage
This easy 14-minute recipe results in perfectly cooked Italian sausage links with minimal effort! They make a great family dinner for any night of the week and always turn out just right.
2. Stuffed Italian Sausages
If you're looking for a recipe that has all of the traditional flavors of Italy, these stuffed Italian sausages won't disappoint! Italian sausages are cut open, filled with cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, then baked to perfection over marinara sauce!
3. Smoked Italian Sausages
The next time you are planning on using your smoker, these smoked Italian sausages are a must-try! Whether you serve them on buns or pair them with pasta, salad, or soup, you're in for an unforgettable family dinner!
4. Air Fryer Sausage & Peppers
This 30-minute meal is extremely easy-to-make, versatile, and full of incredible flavor! All you have to do is wash and chop the bell peppers and onion, season them, then the air fryer takes over.
5. Sausage Dogs
Italian sausage links would be a great alternative to use in my easy sausage dogs recipe! You could load them up with peppers and onions, or any of your favorite sausage toppings or condiments.
6. Italian Sausage Bake
If you're in the mood for a hearty casserole dish, this Italian sausage bake only requires 5 ingredients and a total of 45 minutes to make! It freezes beautifully and is suitable for any weekday meal.
7. Baked Italian Sausages
Another great way to cook up your Italian sausages is to bake them. This recipe is a one-pan meal that can be made in countless ways with tons of different vegetables!
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
8. Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese With Smoked Sausage and Broccoli
I can't think of a better way to describe this dish than comforting, satisfying, and incredibly creamy! It's truly a family favorite and one of my go-to recipes when I have sausage in the fridge.
9. Baked Italian Meatballs
Having a reliable meatball recipe in your back pocket is an absolute must! These baked Italian meatballs can be dressed up or down and will satisfy your family any time you serve them.
Try them as an alternative to ground beef meatballs in my incredibly delicious baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe!
10. Baked Rigatoni
If you're a fan of comfort food as much as I am, then my baked rigatoni is sure to be a hit! It's saucy, cheesy, totally delicious, and always enjoyed by kids and adults alike!
11. Air Fryer Meatballs
Whenever you are scrambling for time on busy weeknights, it's time to rely on your trusted air fryer! Simply combine breadcrumbs, an egg, milk, minced garlic, seasoning, and ground Italian sausage to make the easiest meatballs ever.
12. Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Another satisfying and crowd-pleasing main dish made with Italian sausage is my Million dollar spaghetti casserole! Just like the name, it tastes like a million bucks and takes ordinary spaghetti to the next level.
13. Pasta e Fagioli Soup
If you've ever had Pasta e Fagioli soup at Olive Garden and loved it, then you have to try my homemade take on it! This version is quick to prepare and perfect for bringing your family some comfort.
14. Italian Sausage Soup
This Italian sausage soup is loaded with orzo pasta, tender vegetables, herbs, and garlic! It's ready on the table in just 50 minutes from start to finish.
15. Homemade Italian Sausage Pizza
Whenever I have Italian sausage in my fridge, I always love using it to make a tasty pizza. This homemade sausage pizza is loaded with other delicious pizza toppings like onions, mushrooms, and Mozzarella and is certain to make your family dinner a success!
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
16. Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Italian Sausage
This all-in-one dinner is about as easy as it gets. You can even whip it up and store it in the freezer for whenever you're ready.
17. Stuffed Manicotti with Italian Sausage
Cooked manicotti shells are packed with a delicious ricotta cheese mixture and then coated in sauce.
Tips For Cooking Italian Sausage
Cooking Italian sausage can be made easier with some helpful tips and tricks!
- Use quality sausage: Choose fresh, high-quality Italian sausage for the best taste and texture. Some of my favorite brands include Johnsonville (sweet, mild, and hot) Italian sausages as well as Premio, Swaggerty, Hillshire Farms, and Isernio's.
- Prick the sausages: To avoid your Italian sausages from busting open, use a fork to lightly prick them before cooking.
- Rest before serving: Always let your cooked sausages rest for a few minutes before serving them. If you cut them open too soon, all of the juices will run out.
- Internal temperature: Italian sausage is made with raw ground pork, so you'll want to make sure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) so they're safe to eat.
Now you have the best Italian sausage recipes around! Be sure to leave a comment down below if you try any of them out and let me know which one is your favorite!
🐖 😋 More Tasty Sausage Recipes
- Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites - These delicious bites are a 4-ingredient appetizer that's perfect for sharing with a crowd!
- Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner - This sheet pan dinner is incredibly easy and quick to prepare before the oven takes over!
- Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls - If you're looking for a fun party appetizer, these sausage cream cheese crescent rolls won't disappoint!
- Breakfast Sausage - Once you make homemade breakfast sausage, you'll never want to buy any store-bought version again!
- Sausage Stuffing - This recipe is perfect for stuffing a turkey or enjoying as a side dish on its own!
- Sausage Cream Cheese Dip - This flavorful dip features pork sausage, cream cheese, and a can of RoTel diced tomatoes with green chiles!
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📖 Recipe Card
17 Best Italian Sausage Recipes Your Family Will Love: Baked Italian Meatballs +More!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot)
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C/Gas Mark 6). Meanwhile, place all ingredients (Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, salt & pepper) in a large bowl and mix just until combined. *Make sure not to over-mix the meat or it can become tough.
- Portion and shape the meat mixture into 1 ½ to 2-inch meatballs by rolling it into a sphere with the palms of your hands. You should have approximately 12 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in a broiler pan, or a baking dish with a wire rack inside, that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray or oil. Be sure to leave space between them. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 160°F (71°C). Serve immediately.
Notes
- In place of Italian sausage, ground beef or a combination of ground beef and pork can also be used. If using ground beef, opt for a high fat percentage- 90% or more.
- Allow your ground Italian sausage (or ground beef and/or ground pork) to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to mixing. It will save your hands from freezing and ensure that the meatballs cook quickly and evenly.
- It may be messy, but the easiest and best way to combine all the meatball ingredients is to use your hands.
- Serve over pasta with pasta sauce, or on crusty bread as a sandwich.
Nutrition
Originally published August 4, 2023
Updated April 28, 2024, with formatting and added recipes to the collection
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