Best 4 Italian Fennel Sausage Recipes

BAKED RIGATONI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until almost tender, about 10 minutes.
• Fry the sausages in a large skillet over medium heat, turning frequently until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove from the skillet, cool slightly and slice into rounds. Add the garlic, fennel and onion to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes, then add the roasted red peppers, basil, sliced sausage and pasta sauce. Heat through over low heat until warmed.
• Combine the pasta with the sauce and vegetables in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the mozzarella, Parmesan and Asiago cheeses over the top. Garnish with a few fennel leaves left from the bulb. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove the aluminum foil. Set the oven to broil, and cook for another 5 minutes or until cheese is browned.

ITALIAN FENNEL SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine salt, fennel seed and red-pepper flakes. Add pork to the spice mixture along with the garlic, and wine. Using your hands, mix thoroughly for 1 full minute, until the pork begins to appear tacky and sticks to the palm of your hand.
• Heat a cast-iron pan over medium heat. Use a heaping tablespoon of pork mixture to make a small, thin sausage patty. Add a teaspoon or so of olive oil, and cook the patty for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Taste, and if needed, add salt or any other seasonings to the uncooked sausage mixture and mix to combine.
• Divide and form the remaining sausage into 8 2 1/2-inch patties, placing them on the prepared baking sheet as you go. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. (Patties can be made ahead and covered and refrigerated or frozen at this point until ready to use.)
• To cook, wipe out cast-iron pan, and return to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When it shimmers, add patties in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until browned on the surface and just cooked through.
• Drain sausages on paper towels, and serve hot.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat; saute sausage until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove sausage, reserving drippings in pot., In same pot, heat remaining oil over medium heat; saute fennel, carrots and onion 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add potatoes, beans, broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes., Stir in tomatoes, salt, pepper and sausage; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE TURKEY BURGERS AND FENNEL SLAW

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet over medium heat warm about 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil. When hot add in chopped onions and cook until wilted. Stir in minced garlic, basil and oregano. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl combine the ground turkey, sausage and cooled onion mixture. Add fennel fronds and chili sauce to meat. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix only to combine and shape into 4 patties. Allow to rest at room temperature while preparing slaw.
• In a medium bowl toss together together the fennel, cabbage and green onions. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar and sugar. Pour over salad ingredients tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat a heavy skillet or flat griddle over medium high heat. Drizzle the burgers with olive oil and place oiled side down on preheated pan. Cook turning once until cooked through, approximately 5 minutes per side for 3/4 inch patties. When turning drizzle top with olive oil before turning.
• When burgers are cooked through turn off heat, top with a slice of cheese. Tent with foil and let stand for 2 minutes. Place burgers on individual serving plates with the slaw, garnish with fennel fronds and enjoy.