19 Best Sausage Recipes for Winter Meals You Need to Try

With winter right around the corner, nothing warms my heart and soul quite like a hearty sausage recipe. There's just something about the rich, savory flavor of sausage that makes it the ideal ingredient for cozy, comforting meals during the chilly months.

Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional dish or something with a more creative twist, I’ve got you covered. From creamy casseroles to sizzling skillets, you’ll find it all here. So, grab your apron and get ready to savor some seriously delicious sausage dishes. Without further ado, let's dive into the "19 Best Sausage Recipes for Winter Meals You Need to Try."

1. Sausage and Potato Casserole

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm sausage and potato casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 4 cups of potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned.
3. Add onions and garlic, cook until softened.
4. Layer the sausage mixture and diced potatoes in a baking dish.
5. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

2. Sausage and Kale Soup

A hot bowl of sausage and kale soup is the perfect antidote to a cold winter day.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 bunch kale, chopped
• 2 cups white beans, cooked
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add kale and beans; simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Sausage-Stuffed Peppers

These sausage-stuffed peppers are not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup rice, cooked
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Halve and deseed bell peppers; place them in a baking dish.
3. In a skillet, cook sausage, onion, and garlic until tender.
4. Mix sausage mixture with cooked rice and marinara sauce.
5. Stuff the peppers with the filling and sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until peppers are tender.

4. Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Tired of lasagna? Try these scrumptious sausage and spinach stuffed shells instead.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cups spinach, cooked and chopped
• 1 package jumbo pasta shells, cooked
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
3. In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, spinach, and sausage.
4. Stuff the cooked pasta shells with the filling.
5. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish and place stuffed shells on top.
6. Cover with remaining marinara and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

5. Sausage and Apple Skillet

A delightful blend of sweet and savory, this sausage and apple skillet is a must-try.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage links
• 2 apples, cored and sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add sausages and cook until browned; remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add apples and onions, cooking until soft.
4. Return sausages to the skillet and sprinkle with thyme.
5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

6. Sausage and Lentil Stew

Hearty and nourishing, sausage and lentil stew is a winter winner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 cup lentils, soaked overnight
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage in a large pot over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; cook until softened.
3. Add lentils, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Sausage and Mushroom Risotto

A creamy, dreamy sausage and mushroom risotto is just the ticket for those chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth, warmed
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage in a large skillet until browned; remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms until softened.
3. Add Arborio rice and stir until coated with oil.
4. Gradually add warmed chicken broth, one cup at a time, stirring continuously.
5. Once the rice is tender and creamy, stir in cooked sausage.
6. Finish with grated Parmesan cheese.

8. Sausage and Bean Chili

Sausage and bean chili is a robust and flavorful meal, perfect for warming up.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 packet chili seasoning mix
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
3. Stir in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and chili seasoning.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

9. Sausage Breakfast Burritos

Kickstart your morning with these delicious sausage breakfast burritos.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb breakfast sausage
• 6 large tortillas
• 6 eggs, scrambled
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet until browned.
2. In a separate skillet, scramble the eggs with salt and pepper.
3. Lay out tortillas and evenly divide sausage, scrambled eggs, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, and salsa.
4. Roll each tortilla into a burrito.
5. Optional: Heat burritos in a skillet to seal them and melt cheese.

10. Sausage and Ricotta Pizza

Revolutionize pizza night with a savory sausage and ricotta pizza.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1 pizza dough
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned.
3. Roll out pizza dough and spread with marinara sauce.
4. Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the sauce.
5. Add cooked sausage and bell pepper slices.
6. Top with shredded mozzarella.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until crust is golden.

11. Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

A quick yet satisfying sausage and broccoli pasta is perfect for busy winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 bunch broccoli, chopped
• 1 lb pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage until browned.
3. Add garlic and broccoli; cook until broccoli is tender.
4. Toss the cooked pasta with the sausage and broccoli mixture.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

12. Sausage and Corn Chowder

This hearty sausage and corn chowder will warm you up from the inside out.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add corn and potatoes; simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

13. Sausage Jambalaya

Bring a taste of the South to your kitchen with this spicy and flavorful sausage jambalaya.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until browned.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until softened.
3. Stir in rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

14. Sausage and Cabbage Skillet

Simple yet delicious, this sausage and cabbage skillet is a budget-friendly option.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage links, sliced
• 1 head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook sausage until browned; remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add onion and cook until softened.
4. Add chopped cabbage and cook until tender.
5. Return sausage to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.
6. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

15. Sausage and Eggplant Gratin

In this flavorful sausage and eggplant gratin, layers of deliciousness come together.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, removed from casing
• 2 eggplants, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned; remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add olive oil and cook eggplant slices until tender.
4. Layer eggplant, sausage, and marinara sauce in a baking dish.
5. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.

16. Sausage Cornbread Stuffing

This sausage cornbread stuffing is a savory addition to any winter spread.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, removed from casing
• 1 package cornbread mix, prepared
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp sage
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook sausage in a skillet until browned; remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, cook onions and celery until tender.
3. Crumble prepared cornbread into a large bowl.
4. Add cooked sausage, onions, celery, chicken broth, and sage; mix well.
5. Place stuffing mixture in a baking dish.
6. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

17. Sausage and Fennel Pasta

The unique flavor of fennel pairs beautifully with sausage in this dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
• 1 lb pasta (fusilli works well)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook sausage until browned.
3. Add sliced fennel and garlic; cook until tender.
4. Toss the cooked pasta with the sausage and fennel mixture.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

18. Sausage and Sweet Potato Hash

This sausage and sweet potato hash is a tasty option for any meal of the day.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, sliced
• 2 large sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook sausage until browned; remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add sweet potatoes and cook until tender.
4. Add onions and garlic; cook until softened.
5. Return sausage to the skillet and mix well.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

19. Sausage and Brussels Sprouts

Give Brussels sprouts a flavor uplift with this savory sausage combo.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage links, sliced
• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. In a large baking dish, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. While the Brussels sprouts are roasting, cook sausage in a skillet until browned.
5. Add cooked Brussels sprouts, onion, and garlic to the skillet; cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Conclusion

These 19 of the best sausage recipes for winter meals you need to try. Whether you're looking for something quick and easy or a dish that will impress your guests, these recipes are sure to hit the spot. Happy cooking!