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Italian Sausage

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This hearty Italian sausage dish transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal. Sweet and fennel-spiked Italian sausage is browned to perfection, then simmered in a robust sauce made from crushed tomatoes, wine, and aromatic vegetables. Earthy mushrooms and a blend of fresh herbs add complexity, while a surprising touch of American cheese melts in to create a uniquely smooth and tangy finish. Ideal for pasta, sandwiches, or served over polenta, this recipe is a comforting weeknight winner that freezes beautifully for future meals.
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 6
Calories: 505.6
Dietary: Gluten-free
Description
This hearty Italian sausage dish transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal. Sweet and fennel-spiked Italian sausage is browned to perfection, then simmered in a robust sauce made from crushed tomatoes, wine, and aromatic vegetables. Earthy mushrooms and a blend of fresh herbs add complexity, while a surprising touch of American cheese melts in to create a uniquely smooth and tangy finish. Ideal for pasta, sandwiches, or served over polenta, this recipe is a comforting weeknight winner that freezes beautifully for future meals.
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pound Italian sausage, cut into links
  • 1 lg Bay leaf
  • 1 sm Onion, diced
  • 1 lg Green pepper, diced
  • 3 lg Cloves garlic, sliced
  • 16 can Tomato sauce or whole tomatoes, crushed
  • 6 oz Fresh mushrooms, halved or quartered
  • 6 can Tomato paste (optional, for thicker sauce)
  • 1 ts Sugar (to taste)
  • 8 oz Red wine
  • 2 slices American cheese
  • 1 pinch Each: thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, marjoram
  • 1 dash Ground fennel
  • 1 dash Red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Directions
  1. 1
    Heat a little olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. 2
    Brown the Italian sausage links well in the oil, turning to color all sides.
  3. 3
    Use tongs to remove the browned sausage and set aside on a plate or pot lid.
  4. 4
    Drain off excess fat from the pot, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat behind.
  5. 5
    Add the diced onion, green pepper, and sliced garlic to the pot.
  6. 6
    Stir to coat the vegetables in the fat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  7. 7
    Cook for about 2 minutes until the onion and pepper begin to soften, but do not let them brown.
  8. 8
    Return the sausage to the pot.
  9. 9
    Stir in the tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes), tomato paste, sugar, red wine, bay leaf, Parmesan cheese, and all dried herbs and spices.
  10. 10
    Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  11. 11
    Cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  12. 12
    While the sauce simmers, sauté the mushrooms in a separate small pan with a dab of butter, a dash of olive oil, and a sprinkle of marjoram, basil, and paprika.
  13. 13
    Add the sautéed mushrooms and their juices to the saucepan during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  14. 14
    About 5 minutes before serving, add the slices of American cheese to the sauce.
  15. 15
    Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
  16. 16
    Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 505.6kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32.3g50%
Saturated Fat 10.7g54%
Cholesterol 80.0mg27%
Sodium 1193.5mg50%
Total Carbohydrate 4.9g2%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 1.0g
Protein 42.6g86%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: Leftovers make excellent sausage sandwiches or can be frozen for quick meals later. Allow to cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.

Variation: For extra richness and meatiness, you can brown pork shoulder blades or spareribs along with the sausage. This adds great flavor and provides a second meat component for company.

Consistency: Adjust the amount of wine or water depending on whether you use whole tomatoes or tomato sauce. Aim for a nice, thick sauce consistency. If using whole tomatoes, crush them well before adding.

Cheese Note: The addition of American cheese might seem heretical, but it helps mellow out the acidity of the tomatoes and creates a uniquely smooth texture.

Keywords: italian sausage, tomato sauce, pork, mushrooms, herbs, wine sauce, comfort food, pasta sauce, simmered, garlic, onion, green pepper, fennel, oregano, basil, parmesan, dinner, freezer meal, savory, rich
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/italian-sausage/