How to Cook Sausage Links in the Oven: An Easy Guide

I love cooking breakfast sausage links in the oven, especially when we have a crowd to feed! We use this method for all of our holiday brunches and the sausage comes out perfectly golden and juicy every time!

Cooking sausage links in the oven is an easy way to prepare a lot of sausage at once. This method offers the easiest dinner solution with the least amount of mess. It’s my favorite way, and I bet it will become yours too!

These sausage links baked in the oven are also a great thing to make ahead for quick week day breakfasts. Our boys love reheating them for a quick addition to their breakfast!

Remember to save this guide and the recipe card for future use. Cooking sausage in the oven is a practical skill that will serve you well, whether you’re hosting a big gathering or just preparing an easy meal for yourself.

Choose Your Type of Sausage

Let’s start with the basics: the type of sausage you use. Different types of sausages vary in flavor and cooking time. Leaner chicken sausages and turkey sausages might cook a little faster than pork sausages, so keep an eye on them! Fresh sausage links are often the tastiest, but if you’re working with frozen sausages, ensure they’re completely thawed in an airtight container or a freezer bag before you start cooking.

Prep Your Tools and Ingredients

Here’s what you need for this easy recipe:

• Your favorite type of uncooked sausage links
• A baking tray or a shallow baking pan
• A cooling rack
• Parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicone baking mat
• A meat thermometer
• Tongs: we love these smaller ones for flipping the sausage and they come in a three pack with tons of colors for under $15!

The Best Method: Oven-Cooked Sausages

Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways to cook sausage is not on the stove top, but in a preheated oven. This cooking method offers the best results, especially when it comes to easy clean-up!

1. Preheat your conventional oven or convection oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line your baking tray or baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This isn’t just for easy clean-up, it’s also a great way to prevent your sausages from sticking to the pan.
3. Arrange your sausages in a single layer on the lined tray. For the best results, make sure they’re not touching each other. This way, they’ll cook evenly.
4. Roast the sausages for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages. Halfway through the cook time, use tongs to turn them over for even browning.
5. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage. Whether it’s chicken, turkey, or pork, the recommended temperature is 160°F in the United States to ensure food safety.

Finishing Touches for a Complete Meal

Once your sausages are golden brown, remove them from the oven. Let them rest for a couple of minutes to allow the juices to redistribute for even more delicious sausages.

You can serve these oven-cooked sausages as a simple sheet pan dinner for the whole family. Or, why not add a little olive oil to a nonstick skillet and sauté some veggies on medium heat while your sausages are in the oven? Or cut up your favorite fruit for a simple fruit salad. Pair it with a low-carb side, and eggs and you’ve got yourself a complete meal.

I love to serve these oven roasted sausage with scrambled eggs and our favorite buttermilk biscuits!

Leftover Sausages? No Problem!

Leftover sausages make for a great, quick snack. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can heat them up in a frying pan on low heat, or pop them back into the oven for a few minutes. Avoid deep frying, as this can make the sausages overly greasy.

So, there you have it! An easy, delicious, and efficient way to cook sausages. Enjoy this sausage recipe, my friends! You’re well on your way to oven-cooked perfection.

Is Breakfast Sausage Gluten Free?

The gluten-free status of breakfast sausage can vary depending on the specific brand and ingredients used in its production. Traditional breakfast sausage recipes typically do not include gluten-containing ingredients like wheat flour or breadcrumbs. However, it’s important to note that some manufacturers may add fillers, binders, or flavorings that could potentially contain gluten. It’s always important to check the ingredients of individual brands to be sure.

Breakfast Sausage vs Italian Sausage

Breakfast sausage and Italian sausage are two popular types of sausages that differ in their ingredients, flavors, and traditional uses. Breakfast sausage is typically made from ground pork mixed with a variety of herbs and spices, such as sage, thyme, and black pepper. It has a mild and savory flavor profile, and it is commonly used in breakfast dishes like sausage patties, breakfast sandwiches, and casseroles. The texture of breakfast sausage is usually finer and smoother compared to other types of sausages.

On the other hand, Italian sausage is a more robust and flavorful variety. It is made from ground pork mixed with a blend of spices, including fennel, garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes. The fennel seeds in particular contribute to its distinctive taste. Italian sausage comes in two main varieties: sweet and hot. Sweet Italian sausage has a milder flavor, while hot Italian sausage contains spicy elements. Italian sausage is often used in Italian-American cuisine, such as pasta dishes, pizzas, and sandwiches like the famous sausage and peppers.

While both breakfast sausage and Italian sausage are made from pork and share some similarities, they have distinct flavors and culinary applications. Breakfast sausage is milder and suited for breakfast preparations, while Italian sausage has a bolder taste and is commonly used in Italian dishes. The choice between the two depends on personal preferences and the desired flavor profile for a specific recipe.