Italian Sausage Dish
Experience Italy’s rich and savory flavors with Italian Sausage Dish. Combining succulent pork sausages simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce with fresh herbs, this simple recipe offers a comforting taste of traditional Italian cuisine. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy gathering with friends. This dish shows the simplicity and excellence of Italian cooking.
- Servings 5
- Prep 15 min
- Cooking 35 min
Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 350 kcal Protein: 25 g Fat: 30 g Carbohydrates: 10 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g Sodium: 500 mg
Ingredients in Italian Sausage Dish
- Five Italian sausages
- One large onion, finely chopped
- Two cloves of garlic, minced
- Two cups of tomato passata
- Two medium fresh tomatoes, sliced
- One tbsp. cooking oil (olive oil preferred)
- Salt and pepper-to taste.
- One tsp. dried oregano
- One tsp. dried basil
- One tsp. dried thyme
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Kitchen tools for Italian Sausage Recipe
- Skillet or frying pan
- Cooking spoon or spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
How to Make Italian Sausage Recipe
- Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausages to the skillet and cook until they are browned on all sides, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the sausages and set aside. They do not need to be cooked through at this point.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté in the same skillet until it becomes translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the dried oregano, basil, and thyme, cooking for a minute to release their flavors.
- Pour in the tomato passata and add the sliced fresh tomatoes—season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Return the sausages to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes. The sausages should be fully cooked and the sauce thickened.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the sausages and sauce hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if using.
Tips
- Browning the Sausages: Ensure the sausages are well-browned for added flavour. This process also helps seal the juices.
- Adding Fresh Tomatoes: Adding fresh tomatoes introduces more texture and a vibrant flavour to the sauce. They should be added with the passata to meld flavours while cooking.
- Simmering: Maintain a gentle simmer to avoid scorching the sauce and ensure the sausages are even cooked.
- Checking if Sausages: The best way to check if sausages are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). Alternatively, cut into one of the sausages; the meat should be firm, with no pink in the center.
This enhanced recipe with fresh tomatoes offers a richer and more textured sauce, making it even more delightful. Serve the sauce over a bed of cooked pasta, creamy polenta, or crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful sauce.
How can an Italian sausage taste authentic?
To make Italian sausage taste authentic, use the right blend of spices and ingredients. Key elements include:
- Fennel: This crucial spice gives Italian sausage its distinctive flavor.
- Other Spices: To enrich the flavor, add anise, coriander, black pepper, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, paprika, nutmeg, and garlic.
- Proper Mixing: Grinding the spices and mixing them thoroughly with the meat and enough water is essential for achieving the authentic taste.
- Traditional Recipes and Methods: To enhance the authentic Italian flavor, it’s important to follow traditional Italian sausage recipes and cooking methods. These methods, such as grilling or using the sausage in pasta sauces, risotto, or pizza toppings, provide a tried-and-tested approach to cooking Italian sausage.
Can Italian sausage be cooked frozen?
Though thawing sausages ensures even cooking, you can still cook frozen Italian sausages by frying and then simmering them. Here’s a condensed guide:
- Fry to Defrost: Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat. Add the frozen sausages, frying them for a few minutes on each side until they start to brown, which begins the defrosting and adds flavor.
- Simmer to Cook: Add water to the pan to half-cover the sausages after frying. Simmer gently with the pan covered for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked, achieving an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Optional Browning: For a crispier exterior, after simmering, remove the lid, increase heat, and fry for another minute or two on each side.
This method ensures frozen Italian sausages are cooked thoroughly and remain flavorful.