Easy Homemade Hot Italian Sausage

Switch It Up!

Honey-Garlic Sausage

Omit fennel and chili flakes. Add 1 tbsp honey.

Farmer's Breakfast Sausage

Omit fennel and chili flakes. Add 1 1/2 tsp crumbled sage leaves and 1/4 tsp nutmeg.

Cuban-Spice Sausage

Omit fennel and chili flakes. Add 1 tsp each sweet paprika and cumin and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro.

Four Ways To Use It!

Sandwiches

Cook 1 roll Honey-Garlic Sausage, thawed for 20 min, over medium, turning often, until cooked through, about 12 min. Cut into thin rounds and serve on baguette with pickled shredded carrots. For carrots, stir 2 cups shredded carrots with 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp each vegetable and sesame oils, 1 tsp sugar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/8 tsp salt and 1 tbsp chopped cilantro. Let stand at least 10 min before using.

(Photo: Angus Fergusson)

Speedy Pasta Sauce

Cook 1 roll Hot Italian Sausage, completely thawed and crumbled, in 1 tsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high, stirring often until no pink remains, about 3 min. Add a 796-mL can of diced tomatoes and continue cooking until saucy, about 12 min. Serve over pasta.

Sweet & Spicy Snack Bites

Cook 1 roll Cuban-Spice Sausage, thawed 20 min, then sliced into 1/2-in. rounds, in 1 tsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium. Serve on crostini topped with grated aged cheddar and grated apple.

Kale & Sausage Stuffing

Cook 1 roll Farmer's Breakfast Sausage, completely thawed and crumbled, in 1 tsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high, stirring often until no pink remains, about 3 min. Remove to a bowl. Add 2 cups coarsely chopped kale, 1/4 cup golden raisins and 1/4 cup water to pan. Cook until kale is wilted and almost cooked. Stir into sausage along with 3 cups toasted bread cubes and 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds. Use to stuff chicken or turkey.