Baked Italian Sausages are a quick and easy dinner that everyone always loves! They go great with a variety of tasty side dishes and you can use either mild, medium, hot, or sweet Italian sausages following the same simple instructions.
My Italian background is no secret at this point. I mean, at least it shouldn’t be. I’m a proud second generation Italian and always try to honor both my grandparents and parents by keeping our food and traditions alive.
I love to cook and share our family recipes throughout this blog. Whether it be my mama’s famous polpette (aka THE BEST mini Italian meatballs you’ll ever have in your life) or my nonna’s carciofolis (aka Italian stuffed artichokes) that I’ve been eating for as long as I can remember.
Back when my grandparents were still with us, we would often have things like homemade Italian sausage or homemade sopressata and salami. Now that they’re both long gone, some of those homemade delights have, unfortunately, gone along with them.
There are certain things my parents have since kept going – like these classic roasted red peppers – but I quickly realized that I have to take the more labour intensive tasks (like sausage making) into my own hands or say goodbye to them forever.
When my parents came for their first West coast visit, one of the first things we did together was make homemade Italian sausages just like nonna and nonno used to make! And what fun did we have! I’m proud to say that since then (almost 2 years ago now…), there’s never a time where my freezer isn’t stocked to the brim with these bad boys – a much needed relief for busy weeknights.
Italian sausages – homemade or not – have always been one of my go-to meals. Especially when I’m in a pinch and can’t think of anything else to cook. Or when I’m too busy, tired, or lazy to cook anything that requires any more effort than it does to put a few sausage links on a tray and pop them in the oven.
So, if you’re looking for a simple yet satisfying meal that hits all the right notes, I just know you’re going to love these baked Italian sausages as much as my family and I do. Just make sure you set a place at the dinner table for my grandparents – they tend to show up whenever there’s a whiff of Italian goodness in the air!
Wouldn’t you?! 😉
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE BAKED ITALIAN SAUSAGES FOR A QUICK AND EASY DINNER
Baking Italian sausages in the oven is no hard task. As a matter of fact, it really could not be any easier! Let’s discuss the two “ingredients” you’ll need to get things going in a little bit more detail down below:
- Italian Sausages: Why, of course! You can’t make this recipe without some Italian sausage links! The good news is that you can use whatever kind of Italian sausage you prefer or have on hand. Mild, medium, hot, sweet, OR homemade (as I have in the photos – possible recipe coming to the blog…ONE DAY?!)
The thing I love most about Italian sausages is that they’re already perfectly seasoned. So you can pretty much always bet that they’re going to taste delicious. You can find them in the meat department at pretty much any grocery store as well as any good butcher.
- Cooking Spray: My little secret weapon! Cooking spray (I like using either avocado oil or olive oil) helps the sausages brown and crisp up nicely as they bake. I gently spray the top of each sausage before throwing them in the oven and then repeat when I turn them halfway through baking.
I mean, technically, you can do without the cooking spray and just go ahead and bake the sausages as is. But personally I find that it actually does give me better and more delicious results.You do you, boo.
HOW TO BAKE ITALIAN SAUSAGES IN THE OVEN (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make these quick and easy baked Italian sausages in the recipe card down below. But here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Start with good quality Italian sausages. Whether they’re sweet, mild, or spicy, make sure they’re fresh and well-seasoned for the best flavour and results. I love either making my own at home (recipe coming one day!). Or grabbing them from my favourite reputable butcher shop.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This makes cleanup easier and to prevent the sausages from sticking to the pan.
- Prick the sausages. Pricking the sausages with a fork or toothpick before baking helps to release excess fat and prevents them from bursting while cooking. RECIPE NOTE: I didn’t do this in the attached video as these sausages are homemade and I did lots of pricking in the making. Lol.
- Don’t skip the cooking spray! I meaaaan, while you *technically* can, I personally find that the browning and crisping up the sausages do because of it makes the ultimate difference in flavour!
- Make sure the sausages are spaced out evenly on the baking sheet, with some space between each sausage. This allows them to cook evenly and ensures they brown nicely on all sides.
- Flip the sausages halfway through baking. This ensures even cooking and browning on both sides.
- Check for doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages. They’re ready when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). This ensures they’re cooked through but still juicy and flavourful.
- Allow the sausages to rest for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This helps redistribute the juices throughout the meat, making them juicier and more flavourful.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When cooking Italian sausage, the ideal temperature for oven baking is around 400°F (200°C). This temperature allows the sausages to cook evenly and develop a nicely browned exterior while ensuring that they are cooked through to a safe internal temperature. Baking the sausages at this temperature for around 25-30 minutes typically yields delicious results, with the sausages juicy on the inside and flavourful on the outside.
Remember to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F (71°C) before serving. You make need to make adjustments to the cooking time depending on the thickness of the sausages and your oven’s individual characteristics.
When baking Italian sausages in the oven, it’s generally recommended to bake them uncovered. Leaving the sausages uncovered allows the heat to circulate evenly around them, promoting browning and caramelization on the surface. This helps to develop flavour and texture while ensuring that the sausages cook through evenly.
Additionally, baking uncovered allows any excess moisture to evaporate, resulting in a firmer exterior and a juicier interior. However, if you find that the sausages are browning too quickly on the outside, you can loosely tent them with aluminum foil halfway through the cooking process to prevent excessive browning while still allowing them to cook through.
Italian sausages pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that complement their rich flavour and hearty texture. One classic side dish that goes well with Italian sausages is a simple side salad. A crisp, refreshing salad made with fresh greens, such as mixed greens, arugula, or spinach, tossed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, and a light vinaigrette (such as this one), provides a refreshing contrast to the savoury sausages.
Another popular option is roast vegetables. You can roast an assortment of vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, asparagus and onions, tossed with olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs until tender and caramelized. The sweetness of the roasted vegetables complements the savoury flavour of the sausages beautifully.
Pasta is another classic choice. Serve the Italian sausages alongside your favorite pasta dish, such as spaghetti with marinara sauce or creamy fettuccine Alfredo. The combination of tender pasta and flavourful sausage creates a satisfying and comforting meal.
If you’re looking for something a bit heartier, consider serving the sausages with creamy mashed potatoes, focaccia bread, or crusty Italian bread. The potatoes provide a comforting base for the sausages. While the bread is perfect for sopping up any juices or sauces.
Leftover Italian sausage can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To maximize its shelf life, ensure it is stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
If you want to extend its usability, you can freeze the sausage, which will keep it good for up to 2 to 3 months. When reheating, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.
MORE ITALIAN SAUSAGE RECIPES
CREAMY PUMPKIN AND SAUSAGE SOUP
RICOTTA AND SAUSAGE STUFFED SHELLS
CHEESY SAUSAGE AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED PORTOBELLOS
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BAKED ITALIAN SAUSAGES
Baked Italian Sausages are a quick and easy dinner that everyone always loves! They go great with a variety of tasty side dishes and you can use either mild, medium, hot or sweet Italian sausages following the same simple instructions.
Ingredients
- Italian Sausages (hot, medium, mild, sweet or homemade)
- Avocado or Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure they're spaced out evenly. Prick the sausages with a fork a few times to prevent them from bursting while cooking. Lightly spray the tops of each one with cooking spray.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sausages are cooked through and nicely browned. Flip them halfway through baking and re-spray the opposite side with cooking spray. If you're using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). Remove the sausages from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 175Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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