Easy How To Cook Italian Sausage in the Oven Recipe

Fresh, herby, flavorful sheet pan dinner! If you ever needed an easy how to cook Italian sausage in the oven recipe, this is it! I’ve got the answers for you! Just a few simple steps to perfect baked sausage every single time! 

How To Cook Italian Sausage in the Oven Recipe

Italian Sausage Links in the oven is the easy way of cooking sausage, any kind of sausage, really for an easy dinner! The whole family will enjoy this Italian Sausage bake recipe and there are many recipe variations so that you can make it your own using fresh sausage and delicious vegetables like bell peppers, red onion, green peppers, cherry tomatoes or delicious seasoning like red pepper flakes, sweet peppers, Italian seasoning and fennel seeds. 

Here’s a real Pro Tip: 

This is a great Italian Sausage Recipe, but you can make this recipe using chicken sausages, raw sausages, spicy Italian sausages, turkey sausage, traditional Italian sausages, pork sausage and spicy sausages, just vary the cook time based on the thickness of the sausage and the type of sausage. 

Here’s What You’ll Need for Oven Baked Italian Sausage

• Sheet Pan, Baking Tray or Baking Dish– the best baking pan for these weeknight dinners.
• Aluminum Foil – Heavy foil works best and makes for easy cleanup.
• Meat Thermometer – an instant-read thermometer is the easiest way to make sure your sausage is at the right temperature.
• Italian Sausages – or any of these sausages in a casing.
• An Oven – and really, thats all!

Here’s How You Do It

Italian Sausages in tray from storeLay out on sheet panBake for 25-35 minutes

1. Place the foil on the baking sheet – secure it by crimping it around the edges unless you are feeling daring.
2. Preheat the oven to 350.
3. Space your Italian Sausages out so that heat can circulate around them.
4. Place in the center of the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is Italian Sausage? 

A delicious seasoned pork that is packed into a casing! Italian sausage usually comes in mild, medium and hot. You’ll also find it called sweet Italian sausage.

Can I Cook Frozen Italian Sausage in the Oven?

Actually, you CAN cook them from frozen in the oven. The most important thing is that you cook them to an internal temp of 160. So a thermometer is a must. It will take about 10 minutes longer than the recipe below calls for.

How long do I cook sausages in the oven at 350?

You’ll need to cook them to an internal temperature of the sausage of 160 and a cooking time of 25-35 minutes usually.

How long to cook Italian sausages in oven at 200?

Again, cook to the inside temp as indicated, but it takes about 35-45 minutes.

Well, what about a higher temperature and cooking sausages at 400?

This takes a little less time, cook for about 15 minutes. The higher temp, the more you risk over browning the outside skin.

Can I cook my sausages with onions and bell pepper?

You sure can! It makes them even more delicious. You’ll want to add some salt and black pepper to the onions and peppers.

How Do I know when the sausages are fully cooked in the oven?

Use a thermometer and when the inside of the sausages reach 160, you are there!

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Do I Need To Prick the Skin on the Sausage First?

Who told you to do that old tale, precious? I know I didn’t! Where do you think the flavor and juiciness comes from in sausage?

That’s right! It’s in the juices in the meats that are inside the casing! If you poke a hole, all the goodness will just run right out onto the sheet pan!

Get in my mouth delicious juices!

Don’t let someone tell you all that ugliness, you don’t need that kind of hatefulness in your life.

Try How to Cook Andouille Sausage in the Oven too!

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Italian Sausage

• Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper or a silpat for an easy meal. These sausages love to leak and you don’t want to be cleaning pans all evening.
• Look for Mild Italian Sausage, Medium Italian Sausage or Hot Italian Sausage OR Sweet Italian Sausage. You can even find flavors like cheddar.
• Don’t pierce the skin before baking. The good stuff will run out as the sausage cooks. You want the best Italian sausage ever!
• Lay the individual links so that air can circulate between them. Preheat the oven and put the sheet on the middle rack of the oven.
• Invest in a good kitchen thermometer for recipes like this. You really want the internal temp to 160. Don’t just dig in with a knife, the juices will run out.
• You do not have to turn these half way through, but that works best for larger sausages.
• Serve these delicious links over spaghetti with tomato sauce, over grits (heck yeah, ya’ll) or as the main meat with a green side salad.
• Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about sausage from the American Hot Dog and Sausage Council (did you know there was such a thing?)

Watch Me Make Italian Sausage In The Oven Here

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This article originally appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on February 22, 2021 and has been updated with new information in the recipe card, tips and tricks and a pro tip.

A Verse To Share

Sometimes I struggle with my self-worth, especially when someone in the wide world has been cruel and mean to me. Do you?

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.