Stuffed Sausage
This easy stuffed sausage recipe is made with just three basic ingredients and only a few minutes of hands on time. It’s incredibly simple to make, and a great recipe to feed a crowd! Best of all, it’s low carb, keto and gluten free friendly.
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Stuffed Sausage Recipe
I’m of a mind that simple ingredients make the absolute best meals. A meal doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious, nutritious, cozy or comforting. In fact, some of my favorite recipes have just a few ingredients.
This easy stuffed sausage recipe is no different! With just three ingredients total, it is a completely delicious, ultra-comforting, crowd-pleasing meal the whole family will enjoy. Stuffed sausage is just one of my favorite recipes made with Italian sausage. Since a good Italian sausage has tons of great flavor, you hardly have to do anything with it to make a wonderful meal.
These sausages are stuffed with mozzarella cheese and baked in a rich tomato sauce, giving you all the amazing Italian flavors you love in just one dish. The end results is a gooey cheese filling complimented by a little heat from the sausage link, and wow is it wonderful!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Dinner on busy nights just got so much more tasty! You’ll love this cheesy stuffed sausage because…
- This recipe can be made to serve one or two people, or it can be easily made in large batches to feed a crowd!
- Stuffed sausage is 100% keto, low carb, and gluten-free friendly. (Always be sure to check the ingredients for sneaky sugar and gluten if you have an allergy or sensitivity!)
- You only need three ingredients to make stuffed sausage! That means no unnecessary trips to the grocery store and wandering aisles to find a million different ingredients!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this recipe at home. It really is just THREE things:
- Italian sausages: Use sweet, mild, or spicy Italian sausage links, depending on your preferences. Choose some sausage links that weigh about ¼ to ⅓ lb. each, giving each person a nicely sized portion while also enough room for the mozzarella inside the sausage. Be sure to buy sausages in casings, because ground sausage won’t work for this recipe.
- mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese sticks work like a charm in this recipe because they’re EXACTLY the right size and length to stuff inside a sausage link. However, you can cut a block of mozzarella cheese into pieces that fit inside the sausage if you prefer. I try to buy whole milk cheese when possible, but partial skim is usually more readily available.
- marinara sauce: My favorite marinara sauce is Rao’s because it has no added sugar. Your favorite homemade or store-bought tomato sauce will work wonderfully, too! Just be sure to check the ingredients for sugar.
Optional Ingredients and Substitutions
Other types of sausage: Most Italian sausage is made from pork, but chicken sausage and turkey sausage both work great in this recipe.
Add veggies: This dish is incredibly wonderful as-is, but you might enjoy adding a little extra texture and flavor by upping the vegetables in this dish to make a complete meal. Stuff each sausage link with any combination of diced green bell peppers, onions and mushrooms that you like. Use one to two tablespoons of diced vegetables per sausage link, depending on the size.
Sprinkle with toppings: A sprinkle of parmesan cheese on the top would be tasty. And a garnish of green onions or fresh parsley would be delicious as well.
Make it spicy: For extra kick, use Arrabbiata sauce (it’s extra spicy!). For even more kick, add some red pepper flakes to the cheese filling or add a little bit to the top of each sausage while the cheese is still melty. You can also mix it into the rich tomato sauce.
How to Make Stuffed Sausage
You won’t believe how simple this recipe is to make! Trust me, this will be your new go-to dinner for busy nights. Here are the steps to making it absolutely perfect:
Use a sharp paring knife or kitchen shears and slice each sausage from end to end, about halfway through, being careful not to slice all the way through to the cutting board.
Then carefully open each sausage along the cut, making a place to fill in, sort of like a boat.
Fill the sliced sausages with a piece of mozzarella cheese. Press it in gently, then press the sides of the sausage back together to form its original shape, as best you can.
Next, pour the your favorite marinara sauce into a baking dish and use a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. Transfer the prepared sausages to the baking dish, lining them up in rows so they don’t overlap too much. It’s fine if they’re touching!
Cover with foil and then bake in the oven. While the sausage is cooking, prepare the zucchini noodles or any other side dishes you might be making.
Remove the baking dish from the oven, and then remove the foil. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of the sausages in a few places. The safe internal temperature for pork sausage is 160°F (71°C), so be sure it has reached at least that temperature.
Allow the dish to cool slightly, then use a spatula to transfer to a plate. Give it an optional sprinkle of fresh basil, fresh pepper and Italian seasoning, and you’ve got an absolutely delicious meal ready to eat!
Storing Leftovers
Transfer completely cooled leftovers to an airtight container or zip top bag. Close and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze your leftovers too. Just store in a freezer safe container in the freezer for 2-3 months and allow to thaw before reheating.
For best results, reheat in the oven until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly and melty.
What to Serve with Stuffed Sausage
If you end up loving this dish as much a I do, then you’ve got to check out my recipes for sausage & broccoli frittata and air fryer Italian pork tenderloin. There’s no end to flavorful meals for busy weeknights! And if you love dishes with loads of flavor, then this easy stuffed sausage is just the thing for you.
While this dish is great all on it’s own, you can totally serve it with your favorite sides too. It’s also delicious served over noodles, rice, spiralized zucchini, or even some spaghetti squash.
Serve it alongside some of your favorite vegetables, like roasted broccoli, air fryer frozen brussel sprouts, or air fryer bacon-wrapped asparagus. If you’re not worried about sticking to a low carb diet, then some garlic bread is always a tasty side dish option too!
Tips for Success
Make this a smashing success with just a few simple tips and tricks:
- To make this dish in advance, just assemble the sausage links and stuff them with mozzarella. Spread the sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, then transfer the sausages to the baking dish. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to a day before cooking.
- The spice level of this dish is totally up to you. Any Italian sausage will work — sweet Italian sausage, mild, spicy, it’s all up to you.
- Scoop some of the tomato sauce out of the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle on top before serving. That way, every single bite has that yummy tomato flavor!
FAQ
Mozzarella tends to be best to pair with Italian sausage. However, cheddar and Swiss cheese are also delicious options that would work well in this dish too.
The main difference is the spices and seasonings in the sausage. Italian sausage has a more herby flavor, while other sausage sticks to just a savory flavor.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Coconut Lime Chicken
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Dutch Oven Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
Now all that’s left to do is get cooking!
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Stuffed Sausage
Equipment
Ingredients
Stuffed Sausages
- 1½ lb. Italian Sausage links about ¼ to ⅓ lb. each
- ⅔ cup marinara sauce no sugar added
- ½ lb. mozzarella cheese or 1 mozzarella cheese stick per sausage link
Optional Ingredients
- 3 zucchini spiralized
- 1 medium spaghetti squash cooked
- ¼ cup vegetables such as diced bell peppers, onions and mushrooms
- ¼ cup fresh basil
Video
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (20°C).
- Meanwhile, use a sharp paring knife or kitchen shears to slice each sausage link from end to end, about halfway through. Be careful not to slice all the way through to the cutting board.
- Use your hands to carefully open each sausage along the cut, then fill the sliced sausages with a piece of mozzarella cheese. Press it in gently, then press the sides of the sausage back together to form its original shape, as best you can.
- Pour the sauce into a baking dish, using a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom. Transfer the prepared sausages to the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
- While the sausage is cooking, prepare the zucchini noodles or any other side dishes you might be making.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven, and pull the foil off the baking dish. Test the internal temperature of the sausages in a few places. The safe internal temperature for pork sausage is 160°F (71°F).
- Allow the dish to cool slightly, then use a spatula to transfer the sausages to a plate. Sprinkle with pepper, and fresh basil. Serve with your favorite sides.
