This basic recipe for authentic homemade Italian sausage is so easy to make! Uses a few simple ingredients. You can customize the seasonings to make it mild too! This recipe is great for batch cooking.
I don’t know about you, but there have been a few times when I’ve gone to the grocery store for something and they were COMPLETELY sold out.
It’s happened when a storm was coming, it’s happened when the deal was smoking hot, and it’s happened during a national crisis.
While that’s frustrating, nothing is more empowering than knowing how to make that item at home yourself.
And as strange as this may sounds, this includes homemade Italian sausage.
Italian sausage is one of those food items we take for granted. We assume it’s going to be there when we need it, but then what happens if it’s not?
That happened to me, but thankfully, it’s super easy to make homemade Italian sausage yourself!
Homemade Italian Sausage
Other than it feels good knowing you don’t have to rely on the grocery store, there are a few other reasons to consider making your own homemade Italian sausage:
- Only two ingredients are needed: ground pork and spices.
- You probably already own all the spices!
- Depending on where you shop, it’s probably cheaper to make your own!
- You can control the level of heat – mild or extra spicy, it’s up to you!
- It’s so, so easy! No special kitchen skills required.
- You can make this ahead of time and freeze raw, or cook it for later.
- It’s healthier! No added sugars or preservatives or other junky stuff like “natural flavors.”
Homemade Italian sausage is also really, really good! Once you make it yourself, you’ll never go back to buying it again!
Ingredients for Italian Sausage Recipes
Heads up here, the ingredient list for my Italian sausage might seem long, but I promise you it’s really just ground pork and a bunch of spices:
- Ground pork
- Salt + Pepper
- Garlic powder + onion powder
- Parsley +basil + oregano + thyme
- Paprika + Red pepper flakes
- Ground fennel seed (optional)
- Red wine vinegar
You could easily substitute ground chicken or ground lamb or ground turkey if you wanted to here, too!
What is Italian sausage made of?
Just ground pork and spices with a splash of vinegar – everything I just listed above! (Actual measurements are below in the recipe.)
What is the difference between Italian sausage and regular sausage?
Technically, it’s all in the spices. “Regular” sausage is just the meat, where “Italian” sausage will include the common spices used in Italian cooking, like oregano and basil.
How do you make Italian sausage from scratch?
The method for making Italian sausage from scratch is pretty easy and straight forward:
- Combine the ground pork and spices and vinegar in a heavy bottom pan.
- Cook until the pork is cooked through.
- Serve as desired!
If you don’t want to cook the sausage right away, you can easily combine the pork and the spices and vinegar together in a bowl and put it in a freezer-safe storage bag for later. The meat will be safe in the freezer for 3-6 months, if not longer.
Looking for ground sweet Italian sausage recipes?
Follow the recipe below, but skip the red pepper flakes and add a pinch of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar.
Want a mild Italian sausage recipe?
Cut the red pepper flakes back to ¼ teaspoon, or leave it out entirely!
Want hot Italian sausage recipes?
Add more red pepper flakes! Another ½ teaspoon will definitely kick it up a notch, but you can also add cayenne pepper or get creative with adding diced fresh peppers as you cook the sausage.
What to serve homemade Italian sausage with?
Here are some ideas for what to serve with your Italian sausage:
- Butter Parmesan Zoodles
- Root Vegetable Saute
- Oven Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes
- Instant Pot Beans with Brown Rice
- Sheet Pan Peppers and Onions
Other Pork Recipes You’ll Love:
Fight Inflation Workshop
Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!Homemade Italian Sausage
This basic recipe for authentic homemade Italian sausage is so easy to make! Uses simple ingredients. You can customize the seasonings to make it mild too!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley or 2 teaspoons dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seed (optional)
- pinch dried oregano
- pinch dried thyme
Instructions
- Combine the ground pork and spices and vinegar in a heavy bottom pan.
- Cook on medium-high heat until the pork is cooked through, about 15 minutes.
- Serve as desired.
Leave a Comment