Italian sausage is one of those ingredients that makes dinner come together fast. It’s packed with flavor, cooks quickly, and works in just about anything. I’ve pulled together 32+ delicious Italian sausage recipes, including easy pastas, one-pan dinners, creamy soups, skillet meals, and lighter options busy families will love. Whether you use mild or spicy sausage, these recipes keep weeknight cooking simple, satisfying, and full of flavor.
Easy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipes
These quick and cozy pasta dishes combine sausage with pantry staples to make weeknight meals fast, flavorful, and kid-approved.
- Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
- Creamy Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells
- Baked Potato Ricotta Pasta with Sausage
- Creamy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups – sub browned ground for shredded chicken in this recipe
- Creamy Sausage and Shells
- Sausage Pesto Penne with Roasted Vegetables – can use links or ground sausage
One-Pan Italian Sausage Dinners
Simple cleanup, big flavor. Sheet pan, skillet, and stovetop meals that turn Italian sausage into a full dinner with minimal prep.
- Classic Sausage and Peppers with Onions
- Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce – simple ingredients and minimal effort for busy weeknights
- Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes
Italian Sausage Casseroles & Bakes
Family-style casseroles loaded with hearty ingredients are great for busy nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
- Old Fashioned Italian Sausage and Peppers in Oven
- Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti
- Spinach Ravioli Bake with Sausage
- Meatball Pasta Bake
- Sausage & Spinach Quiche – perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or even dinner
- Baked Meatballs Parmesan
- English Muffin Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
- Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Hashbrowns
Soups & Stews with Italian Sausage
From creamy potato soups to tomato-based classics, these are cold-weather favorites.
- One Pot Lasagna Soup
- Tuscan Tomato Tortellini Soup – add in browned italian sausage for more delicious flavor
- Crockpot 15 Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Soup – delicious with ham or sausage
Quick 30-Minute Italian Sausage Recipes
Fast and flavorful recipes that come together in 30 minutes or less are perfect for any day of the week.
- Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet
- Cheesy Ravioli Skillet
- Lasagna Stuffed Peppers
- Italian Sausage Garlic Bread Pizza
Lighter Italian Sausage Recipes
Lighter options using lean sausage, veggies, and simple ingredients without sacrificing flavor.
- Crockpot Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs
- Lasagna Stuffed Peppers – a lighter, low-carb way to enjoy lasagna
- Italian Sausage Meatballs – low carb, high protein
Sandwiches, Sliders & Appetizers with Italian Sausage
Game-day favorites, party bites, and easy handheld meals that highlight sausage in fun and delicious ways.
- Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls – the ultimate easy-to-make appetizer…only 3 ingredients!
- Italian Sausage Meatball Subs
- Meatball Parmesan Sliders
- Pull Apart Pizza Bread
- Italian Sausage Hoagie – serve my Old Fashioned Italian Sausage and Peppers in Oven on a fresh hoagie roll or italian bread
- Breakfast Sliders with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese – can use breakfast sausage or mild italian sausage
If you’re looking for italian sausage recipes, this list will be a keeper. If you need more dinner ideas, check out this list of recipes that are ready in 20 minutes or less.
If you have a tried and true recipe that uses italian sausage for dinner, make sure and let me know in the comments!
How is Italian sausage different from regular sausage?
The main difference between regular sausage and Italian sausage is the flavors that are added. A combination of herbs, salt, garlic, and fennel give it the iconic Italian taste.
What sausage is the best substitute for Italian sausage?
There are many sausages that can stand in for Italian such as regular pork sausage or Spanish chorizo. In a pinch, you can also use regular ground pork and season it with Italian seasoning, fennel, salt, and garlic to make a quick version of Italian sausage.
Should I use olive oil in the pan when cooking sausage?
You don’t necessarily need olive oil to cook Italian sausage, as the sausage has enough fat to cook in their own rendered fat. However, a small amount of olive oil can help prevent sticking in the pan and add flavor.
Italian Sausage and Peppers in the Oven
Ingredients
- 19 oz sweet Italian sausage, links
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes with basil, (1 can)
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, (optional)
Garnish (optional)
- fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Place the onions and both sliced peppers in the bottom of a 9×13" baking dish.
- Mix the balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and sugar into the crush tomatoes, then pour over the peppers.
- Slice the sausages into about 4-5 pieces each and arrange on top of the mixture.
- Bake at 400˚F for 30-40 minutes, or until sausage is cooked through (160˚F internal temp.)
- Remove from oven and garnish with parsley. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Sausage– If you like your sausage and peppers a little (or a lot) spicy, try using half or a whole package of hot Italian sausage.
- Peppers and Onions– If you are in a pinch and don’t have fresh on hand, you can use frozen. Just make sure they are thawed or it may impact baking time.
- Crushed Tomatoes with Basil– When you don’t have tomatoes with basil on hand, you can use regular crushed tomatoes with an added tablespoon of dried basil.
- refrigerator for 3-4 days
- freezer up to 2 months
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