The spices that give Italian sausage its signature flavor develop more fully when roasted slowly in the oven. Roasting whole sausages in their casings allows them to retain their moisture, so the resulting cooked sausage is tender and moist. Most Italian sausage is made of pork, although some may contain a pork and beef blend. Serve it in pasta dishes and sandwiches, on its own or in the meat-based dish of your choice.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Move the oven rack to the center position.
Step 2
Spray a baking pan with nonstick spray. Set a wire rack on top of the pan to allow fat to drain from the sausages as they roast.
Step 3
Arrange the sausages on the rack so they aren't touching.
Step 4
Mix dried oregano, crushed garlic, parsley, pepper or the seasoning of your choice with a small amount of olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the sausages with the flavored oil, coating them evenly.
Step 5
Bake the sausages for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are evenly brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 145 F. Serve immediately.
- Serve roasted Italian sausage as a main dish, or combine it with roasted or steamed vegetables. You may also add the sausage to soups, stews or casseroles.
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