40 Sausage Recipes For Weeknights When Chicken Won't Cut It (2024)

Liven up those weeknight dinners with everyone's real fave protein (sorry, chicken).

By Camille Lowder
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Can't stand another night of chicken? Turn to sausage to liven up your weeknight meals. In fact, why stop at dinner? Sausage is comforting, amazing at imparting flavor, and most importantly, versatile from breakfast to appetizers. And the variety! You’ve got Andouille, chorizo, hot Italian, turkey sausage… we could go on, but instead you’ll just have to trust us—they're ALL represented here.

Sausage truly goes with everything, and the proof is in how often it shows up in the traditional food of various cultures. Looking for Italian? You’ve gotta go (we’ve also got a sheet-pan version!), meatballs, or a baked pasta, like our baked mostaccioli, our , or our baked ziti. Craving something with a little more spice to it? Sausage is an important ingredient in Cajun and Creole cuisine, so we’ve also included a number of Louisiana favorites here, like our , our , or our jambalaya. Similarly, our Mexican chorizo, our gorditas, and our queso fundido all have a little kick that’ll spice up any occasion. We’ve even got a few options here from across the pond, like our , our French cassoulet, and our British Scotch eggs.

Most of the aforementioned recipes are hearty dinners, but you can utilize sausage in sides and appetizers too. Sausage stuffing is a classic side that’s worthy of making more often than just at Thanksgiving. Same goes for apps like our cheesy mini meatball skillet dip, our sausage balls (made with Bisquick), or our sausage dip. Make 'em for your next game day or shower, and watch them disappear.

Convinced to start swapping sausage into all your fave recipes? Check out our top ground beef recipes and our best ground chicken recipes for ideas, then go to town.

1

Sausage, Peppers & Onions

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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.

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2

Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

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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.

3

Creamy Sausage & Peppers Shells

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The trifecta of 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 too.

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4

Gorditas

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We love all foods that are described as pockets... Hot Pockets, pita, arepas, you name it! Our absolute favorite might have to be these gorditas, for two reasons: 1) They're infinitely customizable, and 2) they’re super-simple to make at home, all thanks to masa harina.

Get the Gorditas recipe.

5

Classic Italian Meatballs

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While we love baked meatballs, searing meatballs on the stovetop and simmering them in a homemade (or store-bought!) marinara results in extra-flavorful meatballs that won’t fall apart.

Get the Classic Italian Meatballs recipe.

6

Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake

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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.

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7

Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip

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Part cheese dip, part meatballs, this skillet dip is not only delicious, but a fun activity for the whole family. Top the whole skillet with a generous sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions, and you’ve got one colorful party on a chip.

Get the Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip recipe.

8

Cassoulet

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Cassoulet, one of France’s most heralded and sublime dishes, is a formidable stew made of white beans, sausage, confit (usually duck), and pork. Originally peasant fare, it has evolved into a rich labor of love that should be at the top of your list of comfort foods to tackle this winter.

Get the Cassoulet recipe.

9

One-Pan Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi

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This easy dinner harnesses the power of seasoned sausage, jarred marinara, and fresh potato gnocchi to make a super-flavorful dish with minimal prep and active cooking time. Perfect for a lazy night when you're craving the 3 Cs: comfort, carbs, and CHEESE.

Get the One-Pan Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi recipe.

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10

Cheesy Sausage Dip

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Sausage dip is a simple and humble dish that's unbelievably good. It's kind of like a pub beer cheese, but with SAUSAGE. It will satisfy every craving, whether it's game day or just another Friday night.

Get the Cheesy Sausage Dip recipe.

11

Baked Ziti

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Like other baked pastas before it, baked ziti 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.

12

Creamy White Bean & Sausage Soup

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A little heat tamed by cream turns this nearly effortless winter soup into a feel-good go-to. Why add a Parmesan rind, you may ask? Because it makes the soup salty and nutty and undeniably good.

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13

Keto Breakfast Casserole

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The classic combo of Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, and basil lends itself to a recipe that’s easy to whip up for an impressive breakfast or brunch. Don't skip that nutmeg, either: It adds a subtle, mysterious note that will have everyone (keto or not!) wondering why this recipe is so delicious.

Get the Keto Breakfast Casserole recipe.

14

Queso Fundido

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Queso fundido is likely the lowest-effort, highest-reward dip, making it a true party trick. For best results, go for Mexican chorizo here instead of the Spanish, which is usually dried.

Get the Queso Fundido recipe.

15

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

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Not to be mistaken for jambalaya or shrimp étouffée, gumbo comes in many forms, but it always absolutely must: 1) thickened by a dark brown roux, 2) be served over rice (or with potato salad if you’re extra Southern), and 3) feature the holy trinity of Southern cooking: onion, celery, and green bell pepper.

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16

Sweet Potato Lasagna

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Lasagnas can do no wrong. They're the most soul-satisfying food around, and this sweet potato & sausage 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.

17

Scotch Eggs

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We didn’t think a jammy egg could get any better—until we tried Scotch eggs. Featuring a layer of sausage wrapped around a boiled egg, battered, and deep-fried, this popular British snack is the cutest, most delicious anytime snack.

Get the Scotch Eggs recipe.

18

Sausage Balls

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Many of you might be thinking: Wait, what even is a sausage ball?! The answer: delicious bites of cooked pork sausage, cheddar, and Bisquick that will be the most popular appetizer at your party. Just make sure your guests finish them; otherwise, you'll be popping these bad boys for days after your party ends. 😋

Get the Sausage Balls recipe.

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19

Sheet Pan Sausage & Vegetables

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This sheet pan dinner works with whatever veggies you already have and requires basically zero effort. Most of the time spent is waiting while the sheet pan is in the oven, and there are minimal dishes to clean when it's all said and done. What more could you need?

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20

Red Beans & Rice

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Red beans & rice is a traditional Creole dish made with red beans, veggies, dried beans, and, often, leftover pork bones. This recipe uses some shortcuts (canned beans, sausage instead of ham hock...) so you can have it on the table in under an hour.

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40 Sausage Recipes For Weeknights When Chicken Won't Cut It (2024)
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