33 Zesty Italian Sausage Recipes

Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni

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

Chicken and Sausage Stew

I enjoy cooking for family and friends, but I don't want to break the bank. That's why I frequently rely on delicious one-pot meals like this.—Ernest Foster, Climax, New York

Upstate Minestrone Soup

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

Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone

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

Pasta Napolitana

This is the ultimate meat lovers sauce and is my copycat version of The Cheesecake Factory's pasta. Rich and hearty, with tremendous flavors, this pasta Napolitana will disappear quickly. I always make extra sauce, as it freezes very well. —John Pittman, Northampton, Pennsylvania

Tater Tot Casseroles

Ground beef, sausage, cheese, and, of course, Tater Tots make this homey casserole a crowd-pleaser. Cayenne pepper and hot Italian sausage give it an extra punch of flavor. —Ryan Jones, Chillicothe, Illinois

Sausage Cheese Puffs

These savory, cheesy bites are easy to make and perfect for party time, snack time or whenever you’re craving something irresistible.

Italian Vegetable Soup

This Italian vegetable soup combines ground sausage, zucchini and tomatoes for a delicious and comforting meal in just one pot. It's simple, hearty and ideal for busy weeknights.

Brunch Hash & Egg Bake

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

Spicy Sausage Soup with Tortellini

This soup is such a family treasure, both my daughters asked for the recipe when they moved out on their own. I cook the tortellini separately, but you can let it plump up in the soup broth, too. —Cynthia Krakowiak, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Meat Lover's Pizza Rice Skillet

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

Tuscan Sausage & Bean Dip

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

Pizza Ring

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

Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

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

Cheese Grits & Sausage Breakfast Casserole

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

Sausage and Eggs over Cheddar-Parmesan Grits

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

Bucatini with Sausage & Kale

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

Tuscan Cauliflower Soup

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

Pasta with Sausage and Peas

This rustic pasta with sausage and peas is a simple, comforting meal that's perfect any night of the week. With a creamy tomato sauce, bright-tasting cheese and pleasant pops of green, rigatoni is the perfect vessel.

Spicy Stuffed Banana Peppers

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

Italian Sausage and Bean Soup

The unusual blend of sausage and beans with coleslaw makes this soup for a cold winter night the definition of complete comfort food. The recipe doubles easily, so serve a crowd and pair with crusty bread and a tossed salad. —Stacey Bennett, Locust Grove, Virginia

Sausage Ratatouille

You’ll feel like a great chef when you serve this veggie-packed dish 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

Italian Sausage Casserole

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

Butternut Squash and Sausage Stuffed Shells

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

Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu

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

Lasagna Dip

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

Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

The first time I made this colorful soup, our home smelled wonderful. We knew it was a keeper to see us through cold winter days. —Sarah Stombaugh, Chicago, Illinois

Pumpkin Sausage Soup

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

Hearty Sausage Minestrone

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

White Lasagna

Who says lasagna has to be made with red sauce? This white lasagna recipe proves that rich and creamy is the way to go.

Potluck Sausage Casserole

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

Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza

For 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. —Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana