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27 Easy Italian Sausage Recipes To Try This Week

Maybe the most underrated protein ever.

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summer bowtie pasta with chicken skillet bake
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

Here at Delish, we have a rule of thumb on how to make any recipe taste better. You can do two things: Add garlic or add sausage. Admittedly, we wouldn't suggest this for dessert, but for dinner? It's a no brainer, especially when you utilize one of our favorite proteins: Italian sausage. Italian sausage is incredibly versatile: the classic fennel and chili spices meld together to elevate any dish, whether you opt for classic meatballs, a creamy penne pasta, or a one-pot wonder. Consider these 27 Italian sausage recipes your Swiss army knife for making a flat, ho-hum meal into an amazing meal. Throw in a little sausage and you'll have yourself tons of dinners worth gloating about.

One of the reasons why we always have Italian sausage on hand is that sausage, salami and cured meats are preserved using old salting, brining and smoking techniques which make them ideal for longer storage times. Even these days, sausage stores really well in the freezer, so if you're in a pinch and need an Italian sub (like our garlic butter sausage subs) or want to up your pasta game on any given night (look no further than this one-pan cheesy sausage gnocchi), reach for your new fave ingredient. It thaws quickly and won't take up too much room, either.

Plus: pre-portioned links make it easy to use the right amount, which comes in handy when you're divvying up for sausage and pepper foil packs. Before you get to cooking, just one hot tip: If you're not using the meat inside the casing, make sure to cook the sausage meat in a super hot cast-iron skillet so you get it nice and charred.

Just in case you don't have enough Italian nonna-approved recipes to consider—here are 52 Italian dinner recipes to keep this party going!

1

Sausage & Peppers Foil Pack

sausage and peppers in a foil pack on the grill
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Filled with bell peppers, onions, and charred Italian sausage links, these foil packs are filled to the brim with hearty, classic flavors. Plus, this recipe only requires 7 ingredients (including salt and peppers), so you don't have to trek to your campsite with a cooler full of ingredients.

Get the Sausage & Peppers Foil Pack recipe.

2

Classic Italian Meatballs

homemade italian meatballs in marinara with herbs
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

The perfect meatball is a work of art. It must be tender, packed with flavor, nicely round, and hold together while cooking. Lucky for you, our classic Italian meatball recipe passes all of these tests with flying colors. Searing meatballs on the stovetop and simmering in a homemade (or store-bought!) marinara results in extra-flavorful, tender meatballs that won’t fall apart.

Get the Best-Ever Italian Meatballs recipe.

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3

One-Pot Farro With Chicken Sausage & Tomatoes

one pot farro with chicken sausage and tomatoes topped with fresh herbs
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This one-pot dish is a flavor bomb that is packed with veggies. Chicken sausage, fennel, onions, and hearty farro are seasoned with pickled, mildly spicy peperoncini and garlic to create a savory, stew-like rice dish. Finely chopped parsley stems are added for extra depth (the stems—often overlooked—pack a lot of punch, and tossing them would be a waste). The farro is finished by stirring in juicy cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and topping it with a generous amount of Parmesan.

Get the One-Pot Farro With Chicken Sausage & Tomatoes recipe.

4

Baked Ziti

baked ziti with italian sausage ricotta garlic basil and tomato sauce
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

After 5 rounds of testing, we finally found the ideal combination of flavors and effort for our best-ever baked ziti—it’s got rich ricotta and a meaty, tomato-based sauce, thrown together in a dish and baked with your pasta. This classic recipe is a study in duality: It’s got a sophistication to it, giving it a seat at the table of your fanciest dinner parties, while its simplicity also makes it perfect for bringing to a potluck or for a treat-yourself weeknight dinner.

Get the Baked Ziti recipe.

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5

Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

food, cuisine, dish, meat, ingredient, produce, vegetarian food, vegetable, fajita, bell pepper,
Parker feierbach

The combination of sausage, peppers, and onions is an Italian American classic. Often served on a sub or in a bun, this dish is also excellent, just eaten out of a bowl. Though usually made on the stove, we love this baked version for easy cleanup and a simple process. Don't feel like turning on the oven? Check out these Sausage & Peppers Foil Packs.

Get the Sausage & Peppers recipe.

6

Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake

summer bowtie pasta with chicken skillet bake
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

We believe that summer dinners should be both quick and easy, so this skillet pasta dinner requires just a handful of ingredients—bowtie pasta, marinara sauce, chicken sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, spinach... SO EASY.

Get the Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake recipe.

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7

Sausage Pinwheels

sausage pinwheels with cream cheese red bell pepper and garlic
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Not quite like the ham and cheese wrap your mom packed you for school lunches, old-school sausage pinwheels are as much a classic for a reason: They feature crescent dough with bits of sausage and red pepper layered within a creamy garlic cheese spread. Bell pepper + cream cheese + cheddar cheese make for a pimento-inspired bite.

Get the Sausage Pinwheels recipe.

8

Broccoli Rabe & Italian Sausage Lasagna

sausage broccoli rabe lasagna
ANDREW BUI

Sausage and broccoli rabe is a classic pasta combination. It felt right to feature the dynamic duo in this decadent white lasagna, held together by a creamy mornay sauce. (AKA bechamel + parmesan.) If you don't feel like making your own Italian "sausage", go with pre-made fresh sweet or hot Italian sausage, removed from the casing and crumbled.

Get the Broccoli Rabe & Italian Sausage Lasagna recipe.

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9

Creamy Penne With Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

creamy penne with sausage sundried tomatoes
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you’re looking for an easy pasta recipe that will make everyone fall in love with you, look no further. This creamy penne with sausage and sun-dried tomatoes could not be more delicious or easy. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough to serve to guests.

Get the Creamy Penne With Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe.

10

Italian Stuffed Peppers

stuffed peppers

These peppers are packed with all of the flavor (and plenty of cheese)—best of all, they're pretty healthy too!

Get the Italian Stuffed Peppers recipe.

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11

Baked Mostaccioli

mostaccioli
Parker feierbach

Mostaccioli is a hearty baked pasta that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. Essentially an easier lasagna made with penne. Top it with plenty of cheese and you'll soon have a new favorite to add to the rotation.

Get the Baked Mostaccioli recipe.

12

Creamy White Bean & Sausage Soup

creamy sausage and white bean soup
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

A little heat tamed by cream turns this nearly effortless soup into a feel-good go-to. Why add a Parmesan rind, you may ask? Because it makes the soup salty and nutty and is undeniably good. (And that’s why we never throw those rinds away! They go right into the freezer.) Keep the sausage pieces chunky so they don’t get lost. Pro tip: When cooking the sausage, don’t stir it constantly and risk breaking it up. Just give it time to sear so it develops that irresistible golden crust.

Get the Creamy White Bean & Sausage Soup recipe.

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13

Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

italian sausage stuffed zucchini
Kathryn Wirsing

A mix of bread crumbs, Italian sausage, and fontina make this one of our absolute favorite zucchini recipes. They're a great low-carb dinner, appetizer, or lunch!

Get the Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini recipe.

14

Sweet Potato Lasagna

sweet potato lasagna
Kat Wirsing

Lasagnas can do no wrong. They're the most soul satisfying food around and this one is no exception. It also proves that pasta isn't necessary. With no noodles to boil, it's almost easier to make than a classic lasagna.

Get the Sweet Potato Lasagna recipe.

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15

Creamy Sausage & Peppers Shells

creamy sausage peppers shells
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The trifecta of sausage, onion, and colorful bell peppers is an Italian classic, often eaten on its own or tucked into a bun or hoagie. No matter how you serve it, it’s meant to be an easy meal, so we knew we had to keep it that way when developing this pasta version. It’s made weeknight-friendly by using just two of our favorite creamy ingredients—cream cheese and heavy cream—to create a silky sauce. We know you’ll love this fun and simple comfort food twist on the classic combination.

Get the Creamy Sausage & Peppers Shells recipe.

16

Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

creamy tuscan sausage pasta
Jonathan Boulton

Weeknight dinner pastas are considered a staple at Delish. This pasta is hearty and simple and has all of our favorite things. If you are into the Tuscan butter vibe as much as we are, try out Tuscan Butter Mushrooms next!

Get the Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta recipe.

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17

Garlic Butter Sausage Subs

italian sub

Garlic butter goes well on everything but we love what it adds to these hearty sandwiches that are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.

Get the Garlic Butter Sausage Subs recipe.

18

Mini Meatball and Pasta Marinara Soup

mini meatballs and anelletti ring shaped pasta sit inside two bowls of marinara soup
Andrew Bui

This recipe uses store-bought marinara to form the foundation of a delicious pot of soup that has all the pasta and meatballs we wished came out of a can of Chef Boyardee. Best of all, this recipe is super flexible. Anelletti is the preferred pasta cut here for the ultimate nostalgia factor, but any small cut—like elbows or bowties—will do.

Get the Mini Meatball & Pasta Marinara Soup recipe.

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19

Italian Spaghetti Squash

italian spaghetti squash
Ethan Calabrese

Just like our classic stuffed peppers, stuffed spaghetti squash is one of our go-to dinners when we’re looking for something hearty, flavorful, and completely versatile. Stuffed with crumbled Italian sausage, melty cheese, and a little tomato sauce, this squash has all the flavors we want in an Italian dinner.

Get the Italian Spaghetti Squash recipe.

20

Cheesy Italian Rice with Sausage

rice

This rice dish is filled with sausage, spinach and tons of cheese, plus it's the most deliciously flexible way to use up any leftover vegetables and grains in your fridge.

Get the Cheesy Italian Rice with Sausage recipe.

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