Versatile Italian Chicken Sausage Dinner Ideas to Mix Up Your Midweek Menu

Key Takeaways

Delicious and easy recipes for Italian chicken sausage pasta, stuffed peppers, and sheet pan dinner that can spice up your midweek meals. It also offers tips for cooking, storing and handling Italian chicken sausage safely.

Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Primavera

Nothing says spring like fresh veggies and chunks of savory sausage tossed with lively pasta. This lightened-up classic combines the pizzaz of Italian sausage with a rainbow of bell peppers, zucchini and sweet peas for a satisfying meal. 

Ingredients:

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian chicken sausage, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add bell pepper and zucchini. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
4. Return cooked pasta and sausage to the skillet. Stir in peas, pesto, and cream. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until heated through.
5. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese. The cream adds a nice richness to this dish. Enjoy!

Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Peppers stuffed with a savory sausage and rice filling makes a colorful and flavor-packed meal. The variety of peppers – from deep red to bright green – not only pleases the eyes but each has its own subtly distinct taste, as specified by industry terminology.

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers (1 red, 1 orange, 1 yellow, 1 green), tops removed and seeded
• 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
• 1/2 cup long grain rice
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, including juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian chicken sausage, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the rice.
3. Stand the peppers upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Divide the sausage-rice mixture evenly among the peppers.
4. In a separate bowl, stir together the diced tomatoes with juice and chicken broth. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, being careful not to disturb the stuffed peppers.
5. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the rice is fully cooked.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle peppers evenly with Parmesan cheese. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy the variety of peppers!

Italian Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

No one wants to be stuck with a huge dirty pot or pan after dinner. This simple sheet pan recipe brings the Italian sausage flavor without the fuss. The chicken sausage and veggies roast up hearty and delicious together while the broth keeps them moist. Cleanup is truly a breeze!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
• 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
• 8 brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 1 large shallot, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the chicken sausage, potatoes, brussels sprouts, shallot, olive oil, and red pepper flakes until well coated.
3. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
4. Mix together chicken broth and minced garlic. Pour over the sausage and vegetables. Sprinkle rosemary on top.
5. Return to oven and continue roasting for 15-20 more minutes, until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender.
6. Serve hot right off the baking sheet. The one sheet makes clean up easy! Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying meal.

Cooking Tips for Italian Chicken Sausage

Italian chicken sausage adds such great flavor to any dish, but you’ll want to handle it properly to enjoy all its savory goodness safely. With these tried-and-true methods I’ve learned over time, you can feel confident cooking up sausage that’s both delicious and healthy.

Storage and Preparation

Storing that sausage right away after shopping is key so it stays fresh for when you’re ready to use it. I’ll let you in on my simple system to keep it in top shape.

• Refrigerate raw sausage in its original packaging for up to 3 days (1)
• If separating casing from meat, work gently to prevent breaking
• Rinse thoroughly under cold water before cooking

Cooking Methods

When the time comes to cook, having a few techniques in your back pocket will ensure perfect results no matter your setup. This table breaks down the best approaches I’ve found to get that juicy texture and crispy snap.

Doneness Tests

It’s important any meat is cooked thoroughly, and the last thing you want is any surprises hiding inside. Let me share my two favorite no-fail checks to rest assured it’s piping hot all the way through.

• Use a food thermometer to ensure sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
• Cut into thickest part to check that no pink remains

Safe Handling

Of course, safety comes first with raw protein. I’ll give you a quick rundown of the critical habits I rely on both during prep and after cooking to keep all my family protected.

• Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after contact with raw poultry
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
• Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving again

Storing Leftovers

No one wants leftovers to go to waste! I’ll let you in on how I like to package and preserve any extra sausage so it stays in prime condition whether in the fridge or freezer.

• Tightly wrap cooled sausage for refrigerator storage up to 4 days (2)
• Freeze individually wrapped packages up to 2-3 months for longer keeping (3)

By applying these proven techniques, you’ll be a total pro at making every sausage experience a satisfying one. Bon appétit!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0HXeZ_dVsICredit : Godfather BBQ & Italian

Conclusion

The Italian chicken sausage dinner ideas explored in this article provide tasty and practical options for any home chef looking to spice up their weeknight meals. Whether you opt for the colorful Pasta Primavera, filling Stuffed Peppers, or easy Sheet Pan Dinner, these recipes showcase versatile and flavor-packed ways to prepare savory Italian sausage alongside complementary vegetables and grains. By following the handy cooking, handling and storage tips from an experienced source, you can feel confident preparing juicy sausage perfectly each time while maintaining safety in your kitchen. With simple ingredients and techniques, these cozy sausage meals are sure to become new family favorites to enjoy throughout spring and beyond. Now get cooking – bon appétit!Leave a comment below on which sausage recipe you’d like to try first – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

References

1. https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/18275
2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-store-cooked-food-leftovers-6746490
3. https://meatmagnate.com/sausage-storage-tips/

Related Articles

• https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/italian-chicken-sausage/
• https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/simply-way-using-dark-pans-for-baking/
• https://milkwoodrestaurant.com/chicken-sausage-types-and-varieties/

Mary R. Q.

I’m Mary R. Q. , a seasoned professional chef dedicated to elevating home cooking experiences. Through my expertise in the culinary arts, I provide practical cooking tips and insightful reviews of kitchen utensils on my blog, milkwoodrestaurant.com. As a passionate advocate for transforming everyday meals into extraordinary culinary adventures, I aim to empower home cooks with the knowledge and tools they need to create delicious and memorable dishes. I’m also an author of the book “1,001 Kitchen Tips & Tricks: Helpful Hints for Cooking, Baking, and Cleaning (1,001 Tips & Tricks)” which is sold on Amazon. Join me on a flavorful journey as we explore the art of cooking and the essential tools that make it a joy.