Oven Baked Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Ground pork: The main protein for the sausages, providing a rich and savory base.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the sausages.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

Dried sage: A key herb that gives the sausages their classic breakfast flavor.

Dried thyme: Adds an earthy, slightly minty flavor that complements the other spices.

Paprika: Provides a mild sweetness and a beautiful color to the sausages.

Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.

When forming the patties, try to make them as uniform in size as possible. This ensures that they cook evenly in the oven. Additionally, pressing a small indentation in the center of each patty can help them cook more evenly and prevent them from puffing up in the middle.

• ground pork - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and still provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground pork - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is another lean alternative that works well in sausage recipes.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though you may need to adjust the quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• dried sage - Substitute with poultry seasoning: Poultry seasoning often contains sage along with other complementary herbs, making it a good substitute.

• dried sage - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram has a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor that can mimic sage.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano has a robust flavor that can stand in for thyme in sausage recipes.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried rosemary: Dried rosemary offers a piney, aromatic flavor that complements sausage well.

• paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a similar color and a smoky depth of flavor.

• paprika - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat along with the color, though use less to avoid making the sausage too spicy.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlic flavor, though you may need to adjust the quantity.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Minced shallots can add a mild garlic and onion flavor, offering a different but complementary taste.

• Allow the sausages to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can lead to sogginess.
• Place the cooled sausages in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. This helps maintain their freshness and prevents them from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
• Store the sausages in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They make a quick and easy breakfast option during busy mornings.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the sausages. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
• Once frozen, transfer the sausages to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of their freshness.
• Frozen sausages can be stored for up to 2-3 months. This makes them a convenient option for meal prep and planning.
• To reheat, thaw the sausages in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, use the microwave defrost setting.
• Reheat the sausages in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
• For a crispy exterior, consider reheating the sausages in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the leftover breakfast sausages in the skillet.
  4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and have a nice, crispy exterior.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the sausages loosely with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the sausages on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sausages on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.

• Oven: Used to bake the sausages at a consistent temperature of 400°F (200°C).

• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to place the sausage patties on for baking.

• Parchment paper: Prevents the sausage patties from sticking to the baking sheet and makes for easy cleanup.

• Large bowl: Used to mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of the salt, black pepper, dried sage, dried thyme, and paprika.

• Garlic press: Minces the garlic clove efficiently.

• Mixing spoon: Helps in thoroughly mixing the ground pork with the spices and minced garlic.

• Kitchen scale: Optional, but useful for ensuring the ground pork is exactly 1 lb.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing the baking sheet in and taking it out of the oven.

• Spatula: Helps in removing the cooked sausage patties from the baking sheet without breaking them.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and mix spices the night before to save time in the morning.

Use a food processor: Quickly combine ground pork and spices using a food processor for even distribution.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze extra patties for future breakfasts.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven while you mix the ingredients to streamline the process.

Uniform shape: Use a cookie scoop to form patties quickly and ensure they cook evenly.