Recipes Using Smoked Sausage You Haven’t Thought Of Yet

Smoked sausage and potatoes are a match made in heaven. The smokiness of the sausage adds great flavor to a simple skillet meal. Potatoes form the starchy base that soaks up the savory juices from the sausage as it cooks.

Onions add aroma and become sweet and tender as they are cooked slowly. The dish can be prepared easily and quickly on the stovetop, which has resulted in it being a favorite easy weeknight dinner. This one-pan meal has smoked sausages, potatoes and onions that complement each other's flavors and textures.

If you're looking to transform the humble lentil stew into a flavorful meal, adding smoked sausages is the way to go. The smoky, salty qualities of the sausage pair perfectly with earthy lentils and vegetables. Onions, carrots, and celery create an aromatic base while garlic and herbs like thyme and bay leaves enhance the flavor. 

Lentils are protein-rich legumes that hold their shape during cooking. They have an earthy, nutty flavor that complements the sausage. The stew base simmers until the lentils are tender but not mushy.

Cubed smoked sausage is added at the end to heat through. The result is a protein and fiber-packed stew that's budget-friendly and easy to make.

Jambalaya is a one-pot rice dish hailing from Louisiana. It's traditionally made with the "holy trinity" of onion, celery, and bell pepper plus tomatoes and Creole seasoning. The addition of smoked sausage to this mix provides s distinctive smoky flavor and meaty bite to the mix. Chicken and shrimp are often included for extra protein.

The meats and vegetables are sautéed to develop flavor before long-grain rice is added to absorb the seasonings. Everything simmers together until the rice is tender. Jambalaya is versatile, easy to make in batches, and reheats well, making it an accessible family meal.

This recipe really allows the smoked sausage to shine. The robust flavor from the sausages pairs perfectly with the creamy white beans. Sliced smoked sausage adds a meaty texture and seasoning to the soup. 

White beans are a versatile pantry staple that becomes tender and creamy when cooked low and slow. Aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, and garlic are also added to provide the flavor base. For more flavor, you can go in with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf.

The soup comes together easily by simmering the beans and sausage in an herb-infused broth. It's budget-friendly, gluten-free and freezer-friendly.

Related: Best Vegetable Soups for a Quick, Healthy Meal

For a rich, comfort food classic with a mild spice kick, smoked sausage is just the ticket. Traditional Cajun and Creole seasonings like cayenne, paprika, and garlic powder are the stars of the show here. To make this, smoked sausage is sauteed before being sliced and added to the cheesy sauce. The macaroni soaks up the spiced, smoky flavors from the sausage and the spices. Finish it off with crispy breadcrumbs or panko for some crunch.

This fast, one-pan meal is both budget and family-friendly. Smoked sausage is cooked with onions and peppers to form the base of the stir-fry. Uncooked rice is then stirred in and lightly toasted before the broth is added. Everything simmers together for hassle-free cooking.

Within minutes, your dish is ready as the rice soaks up the flavored broth. Frozen peas or other vegetables can be stirred in toward the end. Customizable with different seasonings, this simple skillet meal shows how smoked sausage can quickly transform pantry ingredients into a comforting dinner accessible to all.

Hearty chili is one of the best dishes to make with smoked sausage. The smoky, savory flavor pairs perfectly with the chili spices and deeply flavored beef. The dish features diced smoked sausage, onions, garlic, bell peppers and chili powder. These components form the base of the chili, on top of which you can add pretty much anything.

Like with most chili recipes, this is also a freezer-friendly meal that is perfect for feeding a crowd. It's also a popular choice for potlucks and cookouts.

Yet another crowd-pleasing Italian casserole is the baked ziti with sausage. Like the chili, this dish also reheats well for leftovers. What the addition of smoked sausage does in the recipe is bring its signature smoky flavor to the rich tomato and cheese sauce.

The sausage is stirred into a simple sauce of crushed tomatoes, cream, and seasonings before being tossed with ziti and cheese. Sprinkling more cheese on top makes it extra indulgent. The dish bakes until hot and bubbly for a filling one-pan meal.

Who doesn't love a good stuffing during the holidays? Be it your Thanksgiving meal or the Christmas spread, stuffing is always expected on the dinner table. Its versatility makes sausage stuffing a go-to recipe for many home cooks during the holidays and all year round.

The dish begins with smoked sausages that are browned before being mixed into cubes of dried bread. The stuffing picks up the smoky flavor as it bakes. Other components of the dish include onions, celery, herbs and spices.

For a textural contrast, you can finish it off with crispy bits on top. The savory herb flavors of the dish pair well with turkey, roast chicken or ham.

This dish is similar to the smoked sausage and potatoes, except it is in a casserole form which is convenient and ever so delicious. Hash browns are the base of the dish, becoming crispy on the edges and creamy in the middle. The sausages go in next along with some onions for extra flavor.

Finally, a creamy sauce binds everything together. You can also go with some cheddar cheese on top which makes it extra decadent. 

This potato and smoked sausage casserole is easy to prep ahead and bake when needed. It’s a convenient potluck dish that feeds a crowd. The simple ingredients make it budget-friendly and accessible to all home cooks. It is yet another delicious example of how smoked sausage elevates comfort food classics.

BBQ smoked sausages are a go-to for easy backyard grilling. Smoked sausage already has a head start with its signature smoky essence. Slathering it with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce adds even more irresistible flavor. The cooked sausage needs only to be heated through on the grill, making it super quick and convenient.

These flavorful sausages go great in buns with traditional sides like baked beans and slaw. It also gets sliced up for hearty appetizers. This dish is easy to customize with your favorite sauces and spices, if you'd like.

Creamy Cajun alfredo sauce gets a flavor boost from smoky sausage in this modern take. The spicy, robust Creole seasoning pairs perfectly with the rich, smoky meat. Cubed sausages are added to the classic Alfredo trio of garlic, cream, and Parmesan. The spices like cayenne, paprika and thyme add heat and aroma. Shrimp or chicken can be added for extra protein. Tossed with pasta, it makes a fast weeknight meal. 

Smoked sausage and shrimp skewers are a winning combo. The sausage is combined with shrimp and other veggies on a grill, which makes it extremely convenient. The sausage provides a savory, meaty bite while the shrimp lend a sweet, succulent texture.

The sausage needs only to be reheated while the shrimp cooks quickly. A simple marinade or sauce adds lots of flavor options. Honey garlic, teriyaki, lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning are all preferred choices. Served over rice with a squeeze of lime, these protein-packed skewers can be served both as the main dish or an appetizer.

A breakfast burrito is an easy grab-and-go breakfast option, and smoked sausage adds hearty flavor. Eggs, cheese, potatoes and sausage wrapped in a tortilla, who wouldn't like this?

The smoky meat pairs nicely with fluffy scrambled eggs. Diced potatoes sautéed with onions and peppers are added for more fiber. Melted cheese holds everything together.

Wrapped in a warmed tortilla or flatbread, it's perfect for eating by hand. This handheld meal works for any time of day and can be customized with favorite fillings.

We are finishing it off with yet another classic. This dish is prepared with thinly sliced cabbage that becomes tender when cooked quickly over high heat. Smoked sausage lent its signature flavor to this simple veggie-based dish.

Seasonings like caraway, fennel, or red pepper flakes are added to enhance the flavor. Finish it off with a drizzle of vinegar that brightens everything up and enjoy!