Understanding Ground Sausage: Types, Uses, and Preparation Tips

[kcjodih]

Okay, please excuse my ignorance but what is ground sausage besides the obvious? I've seen different recipes such as a baked ziti that calls for either ground sausage or one pound of italian sausage and then calling for it to be broken up and fried. Is there actually ground sausage like ground beef or do I need to buy full sized sausages (like bratwurst) and then take the skin or whatever it's called and then break it up? I have NO idea

 

[candiejayne]

We have tubes of sausage here in the refridgerator section by the bacon that is sausage. You can cook it up like ground beef or make patties out of it. I've never broken up italian sausage and cooked it before, so I'm not sure how it works, I normally cut them into chunks and then fry them up.

 

[sklay723]

We buy the Jimmy Dean brand for a breakfast casserole recipe my mom gave me...the sausage comes in a tube like Andrea said. Great to brown up using the Mix 'N Chop (I'm hoping one day to have a brunch show so I can demo the breakfast casserole!!!).

 

[candiejayne]

Jimmy Dean i can't find an image to post, but if you go here, you will see what we are talking about when we say a tube!

 

[cookingwith_tara]

I've also purchased ground spicy sausage in the 1lb tray like ground beef, pork, turkey, and chicken. BUT, lately I've been using this 'deer' sausage long links. I just take the casing off and ground it up in the pan. Even when I fry sausage - like cut it into little rounds - I still take the casing off.

 

[Ginger428]

Okay, please excuse my ignorance but what is ground sausage besides the obvious? I've seen different recipes such as a baked ziti that calls for either ground sausage or one pound of italian sausage and then calling for it to be broken up and fried. Is there actually ground sausage like ground beef or do I need to buy full sized sausages (like bratwurst) and then take the skin or whatever it's called and then break it up? I have NO idea

You buy regular Italian Sausage & take it out of the casings. Once it out it will look like ground Beef,Turkey etc....HTH

 

[kam]

You buy regular Italian Sausage & take it out of the casings. Once it out it will look like ground Beef,Turkey etc....HTH

Yes, you can remove the sausage from the casings and use the Mix N Chop to crumble it while cooking just like Ground Beef.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Here in Michigan (don't know if you can get this brand all over) you can buy Bob Evans bulk Italian Sausage. http://www.bobevansfoods.com/products/product.aspx?name=Italian+Roll+Sausage&groupid=8 I love Bob Evans sausage of all kinds, but in the interest of health:

I usually use Jenni-o turkey Italian sausage though, just sqeeze it out of the end of the casing and break it up w/ my mix n chop. http://www.jennieo.com/products/BratwurstsandDinnerSausages/SweetLeanItalisamTurkeySausage.aspx

 

[ChefPaulaB]

I really don't have anything to add, just wanted to see if my new picture shows up when I post... sorry!

 

[kcjodih]

Woohoo!!! Thank you all. And a special thanks to Andrea and Becky for the links as well. I finally get it!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Woohoo!!! Thank you all. And a special thanks to Andrea and Becky for the links as well. I finally get it!

Sometimes, I need pictures to "get it"....so I always assume it will help other people too!

 

[candiejayne]

I'm the same way, I knew what I was saying, but I wasn't sure if I was making any sense! LOL