Mangia Italiano. These zesty, hearty Italian sausage recipes will make you want to break out the Chianti.
33 Zesty Italian Sausage Recipes
1/33
Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 474 calories, 26g fat (13g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 793mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein.
2/33
Chicken and Sausage Stew
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This thick and rich stew will warm your family right up even on the coldest days! I like to serve it with biscuits or cornbread to soak up every last drop, it's that good. —Ernest Foster, Climax, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 531 calories, 33g fat (10g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 912mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
3/33
Upstate Minestrone Soup
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love vegetables, you'll find this minestrone especially satisfying. Keep the recipe in mind when you have a bounty of fresh garden produce. —Yvonne Krantz, Mount Upton, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 236 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 1329mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 12g protein.
4/33
Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
Total Time
18 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don't have a lot of time to cook, this dish is a lifesaver. It's fast and yummy and starts with a premade jarred sauce. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 637 calories, 37g fat (17g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 1040mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
5/33
Pasta Napolitana
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the ultimate meat lovers pasta and is my copycat version of the Olive Garden’s pasta. Rich and hearty with tremendous flavors, this delish dish will disappear quickly. I always make extra sauce, as it freezes very well. —John Pittman, Northampton, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 427 calories, 28g fat (9g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 1591mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
6/33
Tater Tot Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short. If we have unexpected company, I just double the ingredients and use a 13x9-in. pan. I call it my Please Stay Casserole! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 570 calories, 35g fat (12g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1357mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein.
7/33
Sausage Cheese Puffs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
People are always surprised when I tell them there are only four ingredients in this easy sausage ball recipe. Cheesy and spicy, the golden morsels are a fun novelty at a breakfast or brunch, and they also make yummy party appetizers. —Della Moore, Troy, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 puff: 89 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 197mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
8/33
Italian Vegetable Soup
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings (2 qts.)
From the Recipe Creator:
This Italian zucchini soup recipe was given to me by my neighbor. Nice and simple, it's a good way to use a lot of your zucchini and other garden vegetables. It freezes well and is great to have on hand on a cold winter day. —Clara Mae Chambers, Superior, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 156 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 1046mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
9/33
Brunch Hash & Egg Bake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight. I couldn't conveniently fry eggs for that many people, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work, too. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 460 calories, 29g fat (10g saturated fat), 234mg cholesterol, 761mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein.
10/33
Sausage and Spinach Tortellini Soup
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s grandmother made this soup with her own homemade sausage and tortellini. We don’t make those ingredients these days, but we’re so happy to have the passed-down recipe—this version is almost as good as hers. It's also an excellent way to get the kids to eat spinach! —Joyce Lulewicz, Brunswick, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 354 calories, 19g fat (8g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
11/33
Meat Lover's Pizza Rice Skillet
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a quick dinner, I threw this together from what I had in the fridge and pantry. Add any other pizza toppings you desire. I often add black olive slices or mushrooms. My son loves this and calls it pizza rice. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 390 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein.
12/33
Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip
Total Time
45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a spinoff of a Mexican dip I had once. The original was wicked good, but since I was going through an "I’m-so-over-Mexican-dip" phase, I decided to switch it up. Take it to a party—I'll bet you no one else will bring anything like it! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 200 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
13/33
Pizza Ring
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom made a ring with chicken and broccoli one night. I said I’d rather have pizza. That’s how this recipe was born! —Tricia Richardson, Springdale, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces with 2 tablespoons pizza sauce: 214 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein.
14/33
Spaghetti & Meatball Soup
Total Time
7 hours
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 394 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 1452mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
15/33
Cheese Grits & Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't resist this breakfast casserole. It brings all of my favorites into one dish: creamy grits, tangy cheese, rich eggs and flavorful sausage. It's the perfect alternative to traditional breakfast casseroles. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 496 calories, 35g fat (17g saturated fat), 201mg cholesterol, 1173mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
16/33
Sausage and Eggs over Cheddar-Parmesan Grits
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy grits topped with Italian sausage, peppers, onions and a fried egg are total comfort food and perfect for brunch or dinner. They are easy to put together and will satisfy a hungry crew. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 538 calories, 32g fat (12g saturated fat), 253mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
17/33
Bucatini with Sausage & Kale
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was short on time but wanted to make an elegant dinner for my husband and me. That night, we ate this simple pasta starring spicy sausage and our homegrown kale. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersery
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 512 calories, 30g fat (8g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 898mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
18/33
Tuscan Cauliflower Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A classic Tuscan soup has lots of potatoes, but I make mine the low-carb way with cauliflower. Turns out, it has a heartier flavor. —Heather Bewley, Bemidji, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 358 calories, 30g fat (14g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
19/33
Pasta with Sausage and Peas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With a tomato-y meat sauce and tangy goat cheese, this weeknight wonder is my version of comfort food. You want to have bowl after bowl. —Lizzie Munro, Brooklyn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 563 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 23g protein.
20/33
Spicy Stuffed Banana Peppers
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Banana peppers can be very tricky: Sometimes they are hot and sometimes they are not. If you want to be on the safe side, I recommend using Bianca peppers instead, which are a more sweet type of pepper. —Danielle Lee, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
4 stuffed peppers: 412 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 965mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 13g fiber), 26g protein.
21/33
White Bean and Sausage Soup
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
In the cold months, I like to put on a big pot of this comforting soup. It cooks away while I do other things, such as baking bread, crafting or even cleaning the house. —Glenna Reimer, Gig Harbor, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 339 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 1100mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 11g fiber), 19g protein.
22/33
Sausage Ratatouille
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll feel like a great chef when you serve this veggie-packed dish that party guests will rave about. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you: Pantry staples and an easy-cook method make this one a cinch. —Janine Freeman, Blaine, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 337 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.
23/33
Italian Sausage Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At the start of each week, my family is already looking forward to our traditional weekend breakfasts, when I serve warm and wonderful dishes such as this. The make-ahead convenience lets me relax with the family as the savory aroma fills the house. —Nancy Robinson, Kansas City, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 329 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 643mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
24/33
Butternut Squash and Sausage Stuffed Shells
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I rarely invite friends for dinner without someone requesting this easy pasta casserole. The sweet squash complements the spicy sausage, and the creamy goat cheese makes it all just melt in your mouth! You can substitute manicotti or even rolled lasagna noodles for the shells. The stuffed shells and sauce can be prepared a day ahead and assembled just before baking. —Taylor Hale, Sonoma, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 379 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 344mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 15g protein.
25/33
Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It's almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 341 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1294mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein.
26/33
27/33
Lasagna Dip
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 cups dip (36 chips)
From the Recipe Creator:
My lasagna noodle chips turned out great and are out-of-this-world crispy. And the dip truly tastes like rich, cheesy Italian-American lasagna. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
28/33
Sausage and Kale Soup
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom dehydrates the last pick of tomatoes from her garden each fall—perfect for quick soups like this one. When I have time to prepare dried beans, I do—but don't worry if you don't. Canned beans are just as good. —Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 217 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 868mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
29/33
Pumpkin Sausage Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (3 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
This dish is well suited to my lower-carb way of eating. It's definitely soul food, and I love that it's very simple to prepare. —Paula Diaz, Billings, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 371 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 782mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
30/33
Hearty Sausage Minestrone
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (3-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
As a teacher, I appreciate quick and easy recipes. If I make this for just my husband and me, we have leftovers for lunches. But when there are more people at the table, every bit is eaten. —Tami Stoudt, Evans, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 372 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 1481mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 9g fiber), 18g protein.
31/33
White Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom made this lasagna for special occasions, such as birthdays. When she passed, I inherited her cookbooks—tucked inside one of them, I found this recipe folded into a letter she wrote to me while I was stationed overseas. It's a hearty, rich dish that reminds me of home. —Janet Wing, Minot, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 462 calories, 30g fat (16g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
32/33
Potluck Sausage Casserole
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever my husband digs in to this pasta casserole full of Italian sausage and veggies, he gets a big smile on his face. I love that! —Jane Davis, Marion, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 408 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 1104mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein.
33/33
Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 483 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 1092mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.