What is it?

Made from coarsely ground pork mixed with seasonings including fennel seed, sweet Italian sausage is one of two types of Italian sausage (the other being hot). It is a fresh sausage (as opposed to cured or dried) and must be well cooked before eating. Most often in sold in links, it’s also sometimes available as patties or bulk sausage. Though Italian sausage is traditionally made with pork, chicken and turkey versions are also widely available (and are sometimes lower in fat).

Don’t have it?

Other fresh sausage can substitute, but sweet Italian sausage has a distinct garlic-anise flavor, so if you’re subbing something else, you may want to add a bit of garlic and/or fennel seeds to the recipe.

How to prep:

To easily remove the meat from its casing, split the casing lengthwise with a sharp knife.

How to store:

For longer storage, freeze Italian sausage links (well-wrapped) for up to 3 months.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Speedy Sausage, Tomato, and White Bean Soup

  Colorful and comforting, this stewlike soup satisfies, especially on a cold day. There’s a lot of rosemary in the dish, but it doesn’t overwhelm; the sausage and hearty vegetables can…

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  Recipe

  Sausage-Filled Pogaca Rolls

  A sauté of celery, onions, and thyme gives this sausage filling the flavor of a classic Thanksgiving stuffing, making these soft, airy rolls the perfect accompaniment to holiday turkey. Note…

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  Crêpe Cannelloni

  Filled with a hearty blend of ricotta, ground meat, and sausage, these cannelloni are made with crêpes, which are lighter than traditional pasta.

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  Pasta with Sausage, Radicchio, and Green Olives

  Cocktail olives give this pasta welcome bursts of sweet and briny flavor that perfectly balance the subtle bitterness of the radicchio.

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  Pasta with Sausage and Kale

  As with broccoli raab, the earthy, somewhat bitter flavor of kale makes it a good match for sausage in a pasta perfect for a cold autumn night.

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  Sausage and Pepper Calzones

  Imagine a cross between pizza and a sausage and pepper sub sandwich, and you get the gist of how good these are. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping,…

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  Bread Stuffing with Sausage, Apples & Sage

  This stuffing has a loose, crisp-crumbly texture when made without the optional eggs. If you prefer the stuffing to hold together more, add the eggs.

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  Sausage and Charred Broccolini Pizza

  Charring broccolini on the grill gives it a sweetness that complements the cheese and the hot chiles. A little heavy cream adds moisture and keeps the heat in check.

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  Slow-Cooked Pork and Sausage Meatballs with Porcini Sauce

  肉丸的慢炖锅是真正特殊the sauce permeates the meat for tender, super-savory results that are delicious even without spaghetti. Because of the way the slow cooker works,…

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  Recipe

  Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

  A twist on a comfort-food classic, this version includes sausage for additional flavor. Serve with noodles or mashed potatoes.