17 Old School Italian Sausage Recipe Get Ready To Indulge!
Published on: Mar 14, 2024
Old school Italian sausage is a beloved dish that has been passed down for generations. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, it has stood the test of time and remains a staple in many Italian households. The traditional recipe has remained relatively unchanged, with minor variations based on personal preferences. In this article, we will delve into the history of this classic dish and explore its ingredients, techniques, and tips for creating the perfect old school Italian sausage.
Italian Sausage, Tomato, and Macaroni Soup with Basil
Main Ingredients: Homemade Chicken Stock, Dried Basil, Fennel, Tomatoes
This hearty and flavorful soup is the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, tangy tomatoes, and fragrant basil creates a delicious and satisfying meal. Plus, with the addition of macaroni, it's a complete meal in one bowl. Serve this dish with some crusty Italian bread for a truly comforting dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup macaroni
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Stir in the macaroni and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is cooked.
5. Stir in the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot with some crusty Italian bread on the side.
This classic Italian meat sauce is a staple in many households. It's rich, hearty, and full of flavor. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a delicious and satisfying meal. The best part? It's even better the next day, so make a big batch and enjoy it all week long.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat until cooked through.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper.
4. Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve over your favorite pasta, topped with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
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Italian Sausage Bake
Main Ingredients: Italian Sausages, Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Marinara
This one-pan meal is perfect for a busy weeknight. It's quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. The combination of Italian sausage, potatoes, and peppers creates a flavorful and satisfying dish that the whole family will love. Plus, there's minimal cleanup involved, making it a win-win situation.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4-5 potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the diced potatoes, chopped onion, bell peppers, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet.
4. Place the Italian sausage on top of the vegetable mixture.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
This one-pot pasta dish is a game-changer. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also results in minimal cleanup. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce creates a dish that is bursting with flavor. Plus, it's perfect for those busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, water, and pasta.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened.
5. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
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Old School Cafeteria Pizza
Main Ingredients: Active Dry Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Milk, Sugar, Salt
We all have fond memories of the pizza served in our school cafeterias. Recreate that delicious nostalgia with this recipe for old school cafeteria pizza. It's simple, yet satisfying, and will have you feeling like a kid again in no time.
Ingredients:
- 1 package pizza crust mix
- 1 can pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Prepare the pizza crust mix according to package instructions and spread it out on a greased baking sheet.
3. Spread the pizza sauce over the crust.
4. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, black olives, bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Slice and serve hot.
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Skillet Italian Sausage and Peppers
Main Ingredients: Italian Sausage, Olive Oil, Bell Peppers, Small Onion
This simple and flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The combination of Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions creates a delicious and satisfying meal that can be served over pasta or with some crusty bread on the side. Plus, it's all cooked in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the sliced peppers and onions, along with the olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
5. Slice the sausage and add it back to the skillet with the peppers and onions.
6. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until heated through.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!
This simple and flavorful pasta dish is perfect for a quick dinner. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce creates a dish that is bursting with flavor. Plus, it's easy to customize with your favorite veggies or add some cheese for even more deliciousness.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces pasta
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!
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Creamy Keto Italian Sausage Soup
Main Ingredients: Butter, Onion, Garlic, Bone Broth, Cream Cheese
This low-carb and keto-friendly soup is full of flavor and perfect for a chilly evening. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, creamy broth, and hearty vegetables creates a soup that is both satisfying and nutritious. Plus, it's easy to make and can be on the table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream and bring to a boil.
4. Add the chopped kale and diced tomatoes to the pot and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the kale is wilted.
5. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
This simple and flavorful sheet pan dinner is perfect for a busy weeknight. It's easy to make and results in minimal cleanup. The combination of Italian sausage, potatoes, bell peppers, and onions creates a delicious and filling meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 4-5 potatoes, diced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the diced potatoes, chopped bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet.
4. Place the Italian sausage on top of the vegetable mixture.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
This classic Italian dish is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that can be served over pasta or with some crusty bread on the side.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the sliced peppers and onions, along with the olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
5. Slice the sausage and add it back to the skillet with the peppers and onions.
6. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until heated through.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!
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Crockpot Italian Sausage Soup
Main Ingredients: Italian Sausage, Onions, Large Carrots, White Beans
This slow cooker soup is the perfect meal for a busy day. Simply throw all the ingredients into your crockpot and let it do the work for you. The combination of spicy Italian sausage, vegetables, and a creamy broth creates a soup that is both flavorful and comforting.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
2. Place the sausage in the crockpot and add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and heavy cream.
The History of Old School Italian Sausage
Origin and Evolution
The origins of old school Italian sausage can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was known as "lucanica." It was traditionally made with pork, spices, and wine and was a popular dish among soldiers and civilians alike. As the Roman Empire expanded, so did the popularity of this sausage, spreading it throughout Europe. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that Italian sausage, as we know it today, emerged.
Regional Variations
Italy is known for its diverse regional cuisine, and old school Italian sausage is no exception. Each region has its own unique spin on the traditional recipe, utilizing local ingredients and flavors. For example, in the northern regions, such as Lombardy and Piedmont, the sausage is typically made with a combination of pork and veal, while in the south, such as Calabria and Sicily, it is more common to use a combination of pork and fennel. These regional variations add to the charm and versatility of this classic dish.
The Ingredients of Old School Italian Sausage
Pork
Pork is the star of this dish and is typically the main ingredient in old school Italian sausage. The cut of pork used can vary, but most commonly, a combination of pork shoulder and pork belly is used. The fatty nature of these cuts adds moisture and flavor to the sausage.
Spices
The spices used in old school Italian sausage are what give it its distinct flavor. The most common spices used are fennel, garlic, black pepper, and paprika. The exact proportions of these spices may vary, but the result is always a flavorful and aromatic sausage.
Wine
A key ingredient in old school Italian sausage is wine, specifically red wine. The wine helps to tenderize the meat and adds depth of flavor to the sausage. It is important to use a good quality wine, as it will greatly impact the final taste of the dish.
Techniques for Making Old School Italian Sausage
Mixing
The key to a successful old school Italian sausage is properly mixing the ingredients. The pork, spices, and wine should be thoroughly combined to ensure even distribution of flavors. Some recipes call for the meat to be ground before mixing, while others prefer to hand chop the meat for a chunkier texture.
Stuffing
After the meat mixture is thoroughly mixed, it is then stuffed into casings. Natural casings, such as hog or sheep intestines, are traditionally used, but synthetic casings can also be used. The sausage is then twisted into links and left to cure for a few hours before cooking.
Tips for the Perfect Old School Italian Sausage
Fat Ratio
The amount of fat in the sausage is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and flavor. It is recommended to use a pork to fat ratio of 3:1, with 30% of the meat being fat. This will ensure that the sausage is moist and juicy.
Cooking Method
Old school Italian sausage can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, or pan-frying. Whichever method you choose, make sure to cook the sausage slowly over medium heat to prevent the casings from bursting and to ensure the meat is cooked through.
In conclusion, old school Italian sausage is a timeless dish that continues to be enjoyed by many. By understanding its history, ingredients, and techniques, you can create your own delicious and authentic version of this classic Italian dish. So gather your family and friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy the rich flavors of old school Italian sausage.
Italian Sausage, Tomato, and Macaroni Soup with Basil
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