This Oven-Baked Sausage is irresistibly succulent and can be served in myriad ways.
Our family loves Italian sausage in any number of ways: in a hoagie bun, topped with marinara and some provolone, diced up in baked pasta, or sliced and sauced over spaghetti. It’s a quick, versatile protein. However, if it’s not great grilling weather, I usually cook the sausages in a skillet on the stovetop. But oh my, the mess! Cleaning up a greasy skillet (and kitchen!) is tedious and time-consuming.
Using your oven is a game-changer when it comes to cooking Italian sausage. If you’ve ever used your oven to cook bacon, you might already know this. Once I started using my oven, it meant I had a hands-off, less messy method of cooking sausage.
You will love oven-baked sausage because it is a great way to get browned, juicy sausage without the hassle or mess of grilling or stovetop cooking. The parchment paper makes for easy cleanup, and you can easily control the crispness of the outside. If you like the sausages extra crispy, you can pop them under the broiler for a few seconds after baking. These oven-baked sausages are great for any number of dishes, and you may never go back to the grill or skillet again!
Creative ideas for using oven-baked sausage
Sure, oven-baked sausages are perfect for easy, straightforward meals, but you can also use them to create special dishes. One of my favorite ways to use roasted sausages is in a hearty French bean stew called cassoulet. It consists of white beans cooked in tomatoes, onions, and fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Though the traditional recipe also includes duck alongside the sausage, you can make it with lamb or chicken. The dish is baked in the oven and has a beautifully golden, crisp crust.
In the summer, I love serving baked sausages, sliced into thick chunks and served on a vibrant salad of heirloom tomatoes drizzled with a tangy mustard and lemon vinaigrette. Add a scattering of capers, serve with crusty bread, and you’ll have a lovely, light dinner.
In the fall, I’ll make a similar dish, but instead, I’ll serve the sausages with crispy polenta and finish the dish with a rich mushroom gravy infused with black truffle.
How do I store leftovers?
You can store cooked sausages in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Cooked sausages also freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap the cooled sausages in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge (if frozen) and reheat in a 350°F oven for approximately 12-15 minutes.
Serving suggestions
Oven-baked sausages present a number of delicious possibilities for serving. You could toss some sliced onions and peppers on top of the sausages halfway through the cooking time and have a nice sheet pan dinner or the makings of sausage hoagies. If serving with pasta, slice and mix into your sauce before topping the pasta. You can also add it to dishes like this Easy Bruschetta Pasta or even a creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi. My children especially love baked sausages served on Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes with plenty of Brown Gravy.
Oven-Baked Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage links
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the sausage links on the prepared baking sheet, spreading them out evenly.
- Place on the center rack and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through the cooking time.
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