This is an easy way to make your own homemade Italian sausage seasoning that will result in an even tastier ground sausage than you can get at the supermarket!
This recipe is so important to have in your arsenal. If you want more specifics on sausage recipes you might want to check out my Italian Sausage and Peppers, or Italian Ring Sausage (Chevalatta).
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Why Make Your Own Ground Sausage
It's so easy to make your own homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning. I like to do this when I can't get my sausage from a butcher. I feel Like a lot of the big brand sausages can have a very distinct "hot dog" flavor and I know making my own sausage seasoning is a million times better.
Once a year we like to make and stuff our own sausages. You can follow our How to Make Homemade Italian Sausage guide. Having control of the ingredients means if you want to have less fennel or garlic you can!
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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground Pork. Most ground pork you get in the super market will be somewhere around 70-80% lean which is exactly what you want for sausage. You want enough fat for the sausage to have flavor.
- Fennel. Fennel is the flavor of sausage that reminds you of sausage. But some people don't like a lot of this licorice flavor. You can experiment with more or less of it.
- Salt. Salt makes up 1-2% of the weight of the sausage. This is important if you are stuffing sausage because the salt is what makes the sausage hold its shape.
- Parmesan cheese. You can substitute pecorino romano or substitute other cheeses like provolone.
*Please see the recipe card below for more information on the ingredients.
How to make ground Homemade Italian Sauage
Making your own homemade ground sausage is so simple. Simply combine all of the ingredients listed below in the ingredients card.
Once combined, it's best to cover with saran wrap and marinate overnight, but not "necessary." If I'm in a pinch, I'll use it right away. But the flavor will penetrate the meat better if it has time to sit and marinate.
What to make with your homemade sausage
The list is ongoing, but here are some classics you could use this for!
- Pasta! So many of my pasta recipes have ground sausage in it. Try it with Italian Pink Sauce with Sausage, Authentic Italian Baked Ziti, or Farfalle with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe.
- Soup! A nice hearty soup is usually filled with sausage. Try this sausage with Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup with Sausage, Broccoli Rabe and Tortellini Soup, or Zuppa Toscana.
- Stuffing your own sausage? Try this with our Italian Sausage and Peppers.
- One of my favorites is to have it with our Italian Sausage Bread or use it on Thanksgiving for Rice Dressing with Sausage.
Recipe FAQs
The salt will help bring out the flavors and firm up the sausage. This way if you put it in homemade sausage, the meat will hold its shape.
Yes, we use this as ground sausage all the time. It's great for pasta!
Need the Ingredients on Hand?
You can purchase my Italian Sausage Seasoning from Selefina. It's the perfect way to have these seasonings on hand so you can just easily mix them in with your ground pork. Just take 2 tablespoon per pound of ground pork and save time! It's also a great seasoning for whole chickens!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon white wine
- 1 tablespoon fennel
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge overnight for best results. You can use it right away too.
Notes
- Marinate overnight for best results.
Vinny says
I developed this recipe because I prefer to make my own sausage seasoning with ground pork whenever I need ground sausage. It's cheaper and taste better than any big brands.