How To Cook Italian Sausage on Stove

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Learn how to cook Italian sausage on the stove and you’ll have a quick and simple meal solution. So easy to customize, Italian Sausage is perfect for family dinners or when serving a crowd. 

Suitable for gluten free, keto, and low carb diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

cooked italian sausage on stove

Sweet or mild Italian sausages are made with seasoned ground pork seasoned with fennel seeds with a slight licorice flavor. Hot Italian sausages have red pepper flakes added to give them a bit of spice. Learn how to cook Italian Sausage on stove to make the perfect quick and simple main dish that both kids and adults will love

Italian sausages are perfect for adding to salads, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and all your favorite Italian sausage recipes, but cooking them just right can be tricky. Cook Italian sausages too fast at too high of a temperature, and they can end up overcooked on the outside and raw on the inside. The casings can also split and fall off, causing the sausages to lose their shape. 

The key to cooking sausages on the stove is to heat them gradually, simmer them and brown them at the end of the process. Keep reading to learn how to cook Italian sausage perfectly every time. Your sausages will be done in less than 20 minutes, and no fancy tools or gadgets are required. 

And for even more helpful how-to recipes, check out my How To Cook Frozen Broccoli, How To Cook Canned Corn, and How To Cook Frozen Meatballs.

top down view of the completed italian sausages on stove

Why Make This Recipe

  • It’s Quick – Get perfectly cooked Italian sausages in under 20 minutes. 
  • Sausages Are Versatile – Enjoy stove top Italian sausage as a main dish or add them to your favorite recipes.  
  • They’re Diet Friendly – Italian sausages are gluten-free, low carb and keto friendly, so they are the perfect option for various diets.  

Ingredient Notes

  • Italian Sausages – You can use either mild/sweet or hot Italian sausage links. 
three italian sausages on a wooden cutting board

Ready to learn how to cook Italian sausage on the stove? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Cook Italian Sausage on Stove

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Pour water into a large skillet to a depth of one inch. 
  2. Place sausage in the skillet and bring the water to a simmer. Cook covered for 7-9 minutes. 
  3. Remove the cover and continue to cook the sausages for another 5-6 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the sausages are cooked to temperature. 
  4. Turn the sausage occasionally to brown evenly. 

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the sausage.

image collage showing the steps for making italian sausages on stove

Expert Tips 

  • Italian sausage is not the same as smoked sausage
  • We recommend using fresh, uncooked sausage. The cook time may be slightly shorter if you purchase already-cooked sausages. 
  • If you can’t cook Italian sausage within 2 days of purchasing Italian sausage, freeze for later use. 
  • If the sausage is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking Italian sausage. Cooking sausage from frozen is not recommended.  
  • Look for sweet Italian sausage or spicy Italian sausage. Choose one based on your recipe or preferred tastes. 
  • Do not bring the water to a boil before adding the sausages. Allow the sausages to come up to temperature with the water for more even cooking. 
  • Some people prefer frying Italian sausage in a bit of oil to brown the skins before adding water to boil Italian sausage. 
  • Cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the sausage.
  • You can also fry them with a bit of olive oil or butter at the end to make them extra golden.
  • Serve Italian sausage cut or whole

Delicious Variations

  • Add Onions and Peppers – Saute onions and bell peppers to serve beside the sausage, or add both to a bun for a flavorful sandwich. Top with mustard or marinara sauce and provolone cheese. 
  • Add To Other Recipes – Slice cooked sausage and add to pasta, pasta sauce or put on top of pizza. It’s also delicious over salad.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – If planning to add the sausage to another recipe, you can cook this up to 2 days in advance. 
  • Store – Leftover sausages can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a bit of water. 
  • Freeze – Freeze leftover sausage for up to 3 months. 
top down view of the cooked italian sausages in a skillet

FAQs

How Long To Cook Italian Sausage On The Stove?

You can cook sausages on the stove top in about 12 minutes. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. 

How To Cook Ground Italian Sausage On The Stove?

Cook ground Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula to break up the meat while it cooks. It will brown in about 5-6 minutes. 

Should I Pierce The Skin Of The Sausages?

I do not recommend piercing the skin. Piercing the skin allows the juices of the meat to escape and will result in drier sausage, which may take longer to cook. 

Can I Bake Italian Sausage?

You may prefer baked Italian sausage to pan-fried Italian sausage. Cook Italian sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment or in a glass baking dish. Baked Italian sausage will take approximately 25-30 minutes in a 350 degrees F/180 degrees C oven. 

the finished italian sausages ready to serve

More Recipes You May Like

Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

the finished italian sausages on a cutting board and sliced

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cooked italian sausage on stove
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5 from 1 vote

How To Cook Italian Sausage on Stove

Learn how fast and easy it is to cook Italian Sausage on the stove!
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian, Western
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4
Calories: 270kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 11 ounces (312g) Italian Sausage 4 links

Instructions

  • Pour water into a large skillet to a depth of one inch.
  • Place sausage in the skillet and bring the water to a simmer. Cook covered for 7-9 minutes.
  • Remove the cover and continue to cook the sausages for another 5-6 minutes, or until the water has evaporated. Turn the sausages occasionally to brown evenly.
  • Remove the sausages once they have reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C.
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Notes

  • Italian sausage is not the same as smoked sausage. 
  • We recommend using fresh, uncooked sausage. The cook time may be slightly shorter if you purchase already-cooked sausages. 
  • If you can’t cook Italian sausage within 2 days of purchasing Italian sausage, freeze for later use. 
  • If the sausage is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking Italian sausage. Cooking sausage from frozen is not recommended.  
  • Look for sweet Italian sausage or spicy Italian sausage. Choose one based on your recipe or preferred tastes. 
  • Do not bring the water to a boil before adding the sausages. Allow the sausages to come up to temperature with the water for more even cooking. 
  • Some people prefer frying Italian sausage in a bit of oil to brown the skins before adding water to boil Italian sausage. 
  • Cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the sausage.
  • You can also fry them with a bit of olive oil or butter at the end to make them extra golden.
  • Serve Italian sausage cut or whole. 
  • Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.
  • There are 10 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 570mg | Potassium: 197mg | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

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