Homemade Italian Sausage

If you’ve tried my homemade taco seasoning, homemade salsa, homemade breakfast sausage, homemade seasoned salt, homemade hamburger helper, homemade egg noodles, or homemade ranch dressing, then you know how rewarding it is to make foods that are typically store bought, at home – including homemade ground Italian sausage.

The homemade version of Italian sausage is a cinch to make with ground pork plus pantry staples including dried herbs and spices.

As the saying goes, nobody wants to see how sausage is made…except for my homemade version. Seriously, it is so easy and SO GOOD! I can’t wait for you to try it.

Spicy vs Mild Homemade Sausage

This recipe is for mild Italian Sausage, aka sweet Italian sausage, though if you want a spicy version you can simply add red chili pepper flakes to your desire.

What to Make with Italian Sausage

Use homemade ground Italian sausage in literally any recipe that calls for it. Here are some tasty ideas to get you started:

• Lasagna Soup
• Italian Rice Ball Skillet
• Italian Sausage and Peppers Cheeseburgers
• Italian Sausage and Pepper Ring Mini Meatloaves
• Cheesy Vegetable, Turkey and Sausage Rice Casserole
• Italian Sausage, Spinach and Tomato Soup
• Minute Sausage, Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Pasta

How to Make Italian Sausage

Step 1: Make the spice and seasoning mixture.

Start by raiding your spice cupboard for the following herbs and spices:

• Dried parsley
• Sugar
• Fennel seeds, coarsely ground
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Nutmeg
• Salt and pepper
• Red chili pepper flakes, optional

I use my Curtis Stone mortar and pestle (procured during the most embarrassing 20 minutes of my life) to grind the fennel seeds.

You’ll want them coarsely ground vs a fine powder. You could also use a coffee grinder, though again, be sure not to grind them too fine.

Next, add the herbs and spices to a large bowl with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar then whisk or stir with a fork to combine.

Step 2: Mix with ground pork.

Add the spice mixture to ground pork then use your hands to mix until just combined – being careful to avoid over mixing.

The sausage is technically ready to cook at this point, though the flavor is 1000% better after chilling in the refrigerator overnight before using. You could also freeze it at this point.

Secrets to Cooking Ground Italian Sausage

When you’re ready to cook, follow these three steps to achieve tender, sausage with a gorgeous, golden brown crust:

1. Cook the sausage in a large, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Don’t disturb the meat too much while its browning, as it will prevent a golden brown crust from forming. Golden brown crust = flavor!
3. Don’t overcook the sausage which could cause it to dry out.

That’s all she wrote! I hope you love this homemade version of store bought Italian sausage – enjoy!

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