Dinner & Meal Ideas

Sausage: The Secret Weapon for Weeknight Dinners

Are you tired of the same old weeknight dinners? Do you find yourself stuck in a meal rut, struggling to come up with something new and exciting to feed your family? If so, you're not alone. Many people face this challenge, but the good news is that there's a delicious solution: sausage!

Sausage is a versatile and affordable ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you're in the mood for a quick and easy pasta dish, a hearty casserole, or a flavorful stir-fry, sausage can be the star of the show. In this article, we'll explore some of the best sausage dinner ideas that are sure to break you out of your meal rut and impress your taste buds.

Sausage and Pasta

One of the easiest and most popular ways to use sausage is in a pasta dish. There are countless variations of sausage and pasta recipes, but one classic combination is sausage and tomato sauce. To make this dish, start by cooking your favorite type of sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a can of crushed tomatoes, some tomato paste, and a few tablespoons of Italian seasoning to the pan and stir well. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the pan with the sauce. Stir well to combine, then add the cooked sausage back to the pan. Top the dish with some grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

Another delicious sausage and pasta recipe is sausage and spinach pasta. To make this dish, start by cooking your sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a handful of fresh spinach to the pan and cook until it's wilted. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and a cup of milk to the pan and stir well. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the pan with the sauce. Stir well to combine, then add the cooked sausage back to the pan. Top the dish with some grated mozzarella cheese and bake it in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sausage and Casserole

If you're looking for a hearty and comforting meal, a sausage casserole is a great option. One popular sausage casserole recipe is sausage and rice casserole. To make this dish, start by cooking your sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a cup of uncooked rice to the pan and stir well to coat the rice with the oil. Add two cups of chicken broth and a can of cream of mushroom soup to the pan and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. While the rice is cooking, cut the cooked sausage into slices and add it to the pan. Stir well to combine, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top the dish with some grated cheddar cheese and bake it in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Another delicious sausage casserole recipe is sausage and potato casserole. To make this dish, start by cooking your sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a bag of frozen hash brown potatoes to the pan and stir well to coat the potatoes with the oil. Add a can of cream of chicken soup and a cup of milk to the pan and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. While the potatoes are cooking, cut the cooked sausage into slices and add it to the pan. Stir well to combine, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top the dish with some grated mozzarella cheese and bake it in the oven at 375°F for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sausage and Stir-Fry

If you're in a hurry and want a quick and easy dinner, a sausage stir-fry is a great option. One popular sausage stir-fry recipe is sausage and vegetable stir-fry. To make this dish, start by cooking your sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions, bell peppers, and carrots to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of honey, and a teaspoon of garlic powder to the pan and stir well. Add the cooked sausage back to the pan and stir well to combine. Serve the stir-fry over some cooked rice or noodles.

Another delicious sausage stir-fry recipe is sausage and pineapple stir-fry. To make this dish, start by cooking your sausage in a pan until it's browned and cooked through. Then, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside. Next, add some chopped onions and bell peppers to the pan and cook until they're softened. Add a can of pineapple chunks, drained, to the pan and stir well. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce, a teaspoon of honey, and a teaspoon of ginger powder to the pan and stir well. Add the cooked sausage back to the pan and stir well to combine. Serve the stir-fry over some cooked rice or noodles.

In conclusion, sausage is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you're in the mood for a quick and easy pasta dish, a hearty casserole, or a flavorful stir-fry, sausage can be the star of the show. So, the next time you're stuck in a meal rut, try one of these sausage dinner ideas and see how it can transform your weeknight dinners.