10 Sausage Dinners So Easy and Hearty They Will Save Every Busy Weeknight

Sausage is the secret weapon of busy home cooks. It comes already seasoned, it cooks fast and a little goes a long way, which makes it great for tight budgets too. These sausage dinners use Italian sausage, smoked kielbasa, bratwurst and chorizo in comforting meals from around the world. Many cook in one pan, so cleanup is quick. Love easy cleanup? You will also like these one pan dinners. Grab a pack of links and let us get cooking..

Sausage Dinners Start With a Sheet Pan

If you only try one recipe from this list, make it this one. Smoked sausage, potatoes and colorful vegetables roast together on one pan until golden and a little crispy. The sausage fat flavors everything around it, so you need very little seasoning. Swap in whatever vegetables are in your fridge. It takes 10 minutes of chopping and the oven does the rest. What would you add: A) broccoli, B) peppers, C) Brussels sprouts?

You will need: 1 lb smoked sausage or kielbasa sliced, 1 1/2 lb baby potatoes halved, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper, 1 red onion, 2 carrots, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425 F. Toss the potatoes and carrots with half the oil and spices and roast 15 minutes. Add the sausage, broccoli, pepper and onion with the rest of the oil and spices. Roast 20 more minutes, stirring once, until everything is golden.

Sausage Dinners Classic: Italian Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers is the smell of every Italian street festival in America. Sweet or hot Italian links brown in a skillet, then sweet peppers and onions soften in the drippings until jammy. Pile it all into a toasted roll, spoon it over polenta or toss it with pasta. It is cheap, fast and always a crowd pleaser. Sweet or hot sausage: which side are you on?

You will need: 1 1/2 lb Italian sausage links, 3 bell peppers sliced, 1 large onion sliced, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup marinara or crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp oregano, olive oil, hoagie rolls

How to make it: Brown the sausages in oil for 8 minutes and remove. Cook the peppers and onion in the same pan for 10 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, oregano and marinara. Return the sausages, cover and simmer 10 minutes until cooked through. Serve in rolls.

Cajun Shrimp and Andouille Skillet

This Louisiana style skillet is a quick cousin of jambalaya. Spicy andouille sausage, shrimp and the holy trinity of onion, celery and bell pepper cook in a smoky Cajun sauce. Serve it over rice for a full meal in 30 minutes. Andouille brings a deep, smoky heat, so you do not need much else. Have you ever tasted real Cajun food?

You will need: 12 oz andouille sausage sliced, 1 lb shrimp, 1 onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 green bell pepper, 3 cloves garlic, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 cup chicken broth, green onions, cooked rice

How to make it: Brown the sausage and remove. Cook the onion, celery, pepper and garlic for 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, seasoning and broth and simmer 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and sausage and cook 4 minutes until the shrimp are pink. Serve over rice with green onions.

Sausage Dinners From England: Bangers and Mash

Bangers and mash is the most comforting pub meal in Britain. Juicy pork sausages sit on a cloud of buttery mashed potatoes, drowned in rich onion gravy. They are called bangers because old sausages had so much water in them they would burst with a bang in the pan. Add peas on the side for a classic plate. Do you love gravy on everything? Sausage dinners like this one freeze well too.

You will need: 8 pork sausages, 2 1/2 lb potatoes, 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup warm milk, 2 onions sliced, 1 tbsp flour, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, frozen peas, salt, pepper

How to make it: Boil the potatoes until tender and mash with butter and milk. Brown the sausages slowly for 15 minutes. Cook the onions in the same pan for 15 minutes until golden. Stir in flour, then broth and Worcestershire and simmer until thick. Serve the sausages on mash with gravy and peas.

Spicy Sausage Penne

Take sausage out of its casing and it becomes the fastest meat sauce you will ever make. Crumbled Italian sausage browns with garlic and chili, then simmers with tomatoes and a splash of cream for a rosy, rich sauce. It tastes like it cooked all day but it is done in 25 minutes. Top with parmesan and fresh basil. Would you add cream, or keep it red?

You will need: 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed, 12 oz penne, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp chili flakes, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup parmesan, fresh basil

How to make it: Cook the penne. Brown the sausage, breaking it into crumbles. Add the garlic and chili for 1 minute. Pour in the tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the cream and parmesan, then toss with the pasta and a splash of pasta water. Top with basil.

Beer Braised Bratwurst

In Wisconsin, brats simmered in beer and onions are a game day tradition. The beer bath cooks them gently so they stay juicy, then a quick sear on the grill or pan gives them a snappy skin. Serve them on buns with the beer onions, sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard. It is simple, cozy and perfect for football season. Mustard, ketchup or both?

You will need: 5 bratwurst, 2 bottles (12 oz each) beer or broth, 1 large onion sliced, 2 tbsp butter, 5 brat buns, sauerkraut, spicy brown mustard

How to make it: Melt the butter in a pot and cook the onion 5 minutes. Add the brats and beer and simmer 15 minutes. Move the brats to a hot grill or pan and sear 2 minutes per side. Keep simmering the onions until soft. Serve the brats in buns with onions, sauerkraut and mustard.

Sausage Dinners in One Skillet: Kielbasa and Potato Hash

This is the kind of skillet dinner that farm families have made for generations. Crispy potatoes, smoky kielbasa, peppers and onions all cook together in one big pan. Let the potatoes sit without stirring so they get golden crusts. Top it with fried eggs if you want, and dinner is done. It is filling, cheap and ready in 30 minutes. How do you like your potatoes: A) crispy, B) soft? This is one of those sausage dinners kids actually finish.

You will need: 1 lb kielbasa sliced, 1 1/2 lb potatoes diced small, 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 tbsp oil, green onions

How to make it: Microwave the potatoes for 5 minutes to soften. Brown the kielbasa in a large skillet and remove. Add oil and the potatoes and cook 10 minutes until golden. Add the onion, peppers, garlic and paprika and cook 5 minutes. Return the kielbasa and toss.

Spanish Chorizo and Pork Stew

Spanish chorizo is cured and packed with smoked paprika, so it melts into this stew and turns everything a deep red. Pork shoulder, potatoes and a splash of wine simmer slowly with it until tender. It is the kind of warming dish served in Spanish taverns on cold nights. Serve it with crusty bread to soak up every drop. Have you tried Spanish chorizo before?

You will need: 6 oz Spanish chorizo sliced, 1 1/2 lb pork shoulder cubed, 1 onion, 1 red bell pepper, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 cup red wine, 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 cups broth, 3 potatoes, parsley

How to make it: Brown the chorizo and remove, then brown the pork in its red oil. Add the onion, pepper and garlic for 5 minutes. Stir in the paprika, wine, tomatoes and broth and return the chorizo. Cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the potatoes and cook 25 minutes more.

Sausage Dinners in a Bowl: Smoked Sausage and Potato Soup

On cold nights, this creamy soup is a big warm hug. Smoked sausage and potatoes simmer in broth, then a little cream and cheddar make it rich and silky. Mash a few potatoes against the pot to thicken it naturally. A handful of spinach adds color if you like. It reheats beautifully for lunches all week. Soup for dinner: A) yes please or B) I need something to chew?

You will need: 12 oz smoked sausage sliced, 2 lb potatoes diced, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 cloves garlic, 5 cups chicken broth, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar, salt, pepper

How to make it: Brown the sausage in a pot and remove. Cook the onion, carrots, celery and garlic for 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and broth and simmer 15 minutes. Mash some potatoes. Stir in the cream, cheddar and sausage and heat through.

Breakfast for Dinner Sausage and Egg Skillet

Breakfast for dinner always feels like a treat, especially for kids. Smoked links, peppers and onions sizzle in a cast iron pan, then eggs crack right into little wells and cook until the whites set. Bring the skillet straight to the table with toast for dipping into runny yolks. It costs very little and takes 20 minutes. Do you love breakfast for dinner?

You will need: 6 smoked sausage links or 1 lb kielbasa sliced, 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1 onion, 4 to 6 eggs, 2 green onions, 1 tbsp butter, salt, pepper, toast

How to make it: Brown the sausage in a cast iron skillet. Add the peppers and onion and cook 6 minutes until soft. Make small wells and crack in the eggs. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes until the whites are set. Top with green onions and serve with toast.