15 5-Star Weeknight Recipes That Start With Italian Sausage

Italian sausage is one of those shortcut ingredients I like to keep in my freezer at all times. It’s already loaded with herbs, spices, and savory richness, so whatever I add it to—soup, pasta, casseroles, pizza, or beans—I know dinner is going to be flavorful. These 5-star Italian sausage recipes make the most of that built-in flavor, turning simple ingredients into cozy, satisfying meals with minimal effort. Whether you’re craving Million Dollar Ravioli Casserole, Chicken Scarpariello, or Lentil Stew, these recipes prove that a pack of sausage can take dinner a long way.

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“The soup is good without toppings, but if you have crushed red pepper or grated parmesan cheese, I recommend adding them. I always serve this soup with some kind of toasted, sliced bread for dipping in the flavorful broth.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

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“I love serving this meal with hunks of crusty bread, or slices of garlic bread would be great if you’re feeling ambitious. If you want to dress up your serving, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, or some freshly chopped parsley or basil are all delicious here.” —Amanda Luchtel, Recipe Developer

03 of 15

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“I like to use chicken broth for this recipe, but vegetable broth is also a nice option. Both provide flavor that water just can’t. That being said, if you’re in a pinch, use water and consider adding a touch of onion powder, thyme, and oregano for a little more flavor.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

04 of 15

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“This easy tortellini soup has been on heavy rotation in my kitchen lately. The list of ingredients is short, which translates into a dinner that doesn’t take a lot of brainpower to pull together (a weeknight win!); everyone in my particular household loves it unconditionally (another win!).” —Emma Christensen, former General Manager

05 of 15

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“Once you brown the sausage, the slow cooker does the rest of the work to create this hearty, cozy meal you will want to make again and again.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

06 of 15

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“As someone who cooks and writes recipes for a living, all the dirty dishes that come along with the job are a real bummer. So when the opportunity to create a fuss-free supper with minimal dirty dishes presents itself, I’m all in.” —Katie Morford, Recipe Developer

07 of 15

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“When we crave lasagna without the commitment, we make this skillet version with Italian sausage, broken lasagna noodles, our favorite jarred sauce, ricotta, and shredded mozzarella—all cooked in one skillet!” —Amanda Luchtel, Recipe Developer

08 of 15

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“Here, a baked ravioli casserole that can be assembled with just fresh ravioli, jarred sauce, some browned sausage, and a bag of shredded cheese gets sizably upgraded with more meat, more sauce, and a layer of ricotta, cream cheese, and sour cream, as well as a double cheese topping.” —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

09 of 15

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“In my house, a filling one-pot dinner is worth its weight in gold. You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel—sometimes all you have to do is look back to the classics, like this chicken scarpariello. The combination of chicken, sausage, and flavorful veggies is ideal for a chilly night.” —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

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“My favorite thing about pizza casserole is that it satisfies my pizza craving and pasta craving at the same time. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner. Gather the whole family together because it’s a meal everyone will love!” —Hannah Zimmerman, Recipe Developer

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“This dish is a triumph. To make cassoulet, you’ll have to dig deep into the recipe and give over a day or two of slow cooking. You will be rewarded with a dish worthy of serving to special guests who will appreciate your efforts.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

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“Chicago-style deep dish pizza is not your everyday pizza fare. This thick pie with buttery, crisp crust is filled to the max with oozy cheese and crumbled sausage and then topped with a slightly sweet and spicy tomato sauce and even more cheese. By most accounts invented in Chicago (thus the name), this deep-dish version fulfills hungry pizza cravings in a most satisfying way!” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

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“My friend Clara and I were inspired to make this hearty lentil stew today, in the midst of yet another downpour, based on Clara’s family recipe. It’s made with bacon and sausage, a mirepoix of onions, carrots, and celery, and topped with parsley.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

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“If you ever have a hard time convincing a family member to eat their spinach, this would be the recipe to use!” —Elise Bauer, Founder

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“Who says you need spaghetti for spaghetti sauce? A quick and easy Italian sausage spaghetti sauce works beautifully with white beans as well as pasta. And it’s a great way to lower the carb content and up the protein of the dish without sacrificing flavor.” —Elise Bauer, Founder

Read the original article on Simply Recipes