Nothing goes with a cold beer on a hot day quite like summer sausage and a hunk of cheese. Some people (including quite a few here at LEM) even add cheese to their summer sausage. But whether you like cheese on the side or cheese in your sausage, stuffing sausage is a great way to use venison. For the curious among you, we’ll touch on the history of summer sausage before stepping through a how-to on sausage making and finally, we’ll include a few of our favorite Summer sausage meals.

21. Smoked Sausage and Potato Hash

Smoked Sausage and Potato Hash is an easy-to-make skillet recipe that is a great meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Made with smoked sausage, potatoes, bell peppers, and onions, it can be served on its own or topped with a fried egg for a hearty meal. I love cooking with smoked sausage because it has so much flavor.

It’s rich and smokey and salty, so it goes great with foods that need a little flavor boost, like potatoes! In this potato hash recipe, the potatoes are cooked on their own for a bit, then finished with the sausage, onions, and bell peppers, plus some smoky paprika for another layer of flavor.
Get the recipe here.

20. Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage

30 minutes is all you need to make this Creamy Tomato Pasta magic happen! Velvety, tomato-y, garlicky sauce packed with flavorful Italian Sausage tossed with chewy rigatoni pasta and spinach.

Topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an added layer of flavor and fresh parsley for that extra burst of freshness. Fill up your bowl, grab a fork, and enjoy this yummy bowl of goodness on your couch, at your dining table, standing by your kitchen counter…or pack it into your lunchbox and make your co-workers jealous. This recipe is one of my best summer sausage meals ever.
Get the recipe here.

19. BBQ Sausage Sloppy Joes

BBQ Sausage Sloppy Joes made with Italian sausage links, hidden veggies, and a sweet and tangy bbq sauce mixture in 30 minutes will be the answer to your summer recipe wishes!

Week two of our new sloppy joes series and this week we’re leaving beef for the first time in favor of cooking with sausage links. The flavors are similar to your favorite bbq links on a sandwich, but with the benefit of added vegetables your family won’t even realize are there.
Get the recipe here.

18. Tuscan Sausage and Penne Skillet Dinner

My goal in creating this dish was to use ingredients that are present in most “cooking friendly” homes; and which cost very little to purchase. Something you need to understand about cooking, and about being an individual… taste is a personal matter.

When cooking, if you want more of a spice or an ingredient, add it to the mix. Cooking is like art, and Rembrandt never stuck to a recipe for his masterpieces, and neither should you. Create, invent, be bold – trust yourself.
Get the recipe here.

17. Cheesy Sausage and Pasta Skillet

This cheesy smoked sausage pasta skillet recipe is one of our favorite summer sausage meals. Savory smoked sausage, creamy melted cheese, fragrant garlic, onions, and tomatoes all come together in a one skillet meal that is sure to please everyone in the family. The best part is it takes only about 20 minutes from start to finish.

These one pot meals have become my go-to weeknight dinners. Pair with a garden salad and you’re good to go! I love smoked sausage, and it was perfectly paired with the other flavors in this recipe.
Get the recipe here.

16. One Pot Kielbasa Pasta

I’m not sure if many of you cook dinner with kielbasa/smoked sausage, but there are lots of things you can do with smoked kielbasa/sausage. So I thought maybe I could offer an idea that will inspire you to come up with a totally new dinner.

This recipe made dinner time a snap, it really is a throw-together kind of meal because it all comes together in just one pan, and it does taste good and makes a lot! Top with remaining cheese and cover until cheese is melted, spotty brown, and bubbly.

Sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve. This only makes 4 large servings, so if you are feeding a larger group or want leftovers, I’d recommend doubling the recipe, it’s well worth it! Enjoy these summer sausage meals for meal prep!
Get the recipe here.

15. Baked Beans with Smoked Sausage

This Baked Beans with Smoked Sausage recipe is my very favorite baked bean recipe. What makes it so special is the slices of smoked sausage. If you’re a fan of having meat in your baked beans, you will love this recipe. It’s like Beanie Weenies, only much better.

Not only is this recipe flavored with bacon, but the slices of smoked sausage, (I used kielbasa), make it feel like a main dish casserole instead of a side. And you may like it so much that you want to eat it as a main dish. I think that’s perfectly acceptable.
Get the recipe here.

14. Snow Peas with Chinese Sausage

Snow Peas with Chinese Sausage (known as lop cheung in Cantonese, or sometimes spelled lap cheong) is a flavorful way to use spring and summer snow peas. It’s the kind of Chinese home cooking that isn’t fussy. It’s just fast, easy, and tasty. If you’ve been working on expanding your Chinese pantries over the years, Snow Peas with Chinese sausage is one recipe that is so easy to pull together for a mid-week dinner. And if you’ve never tried lop cheung, it’s a wonderful ingredient to keep on hand! If you’re here, it means you want to eat fast, so let’s get to it!
Get the recipe here.

13. Pork sausages with caraway seed, cabbage, and apple slaw recipe

Any good sausages work well in this dish; German sausages are a particularly good match with the aniseed from the caraway seed. Grill sausages, turning occasionally until cooked through (6-8 minutes).

Grill buns cut-side down until toasted (1-2 minutes). Spread with butter and mustard, top each with sausage, then slaw and onion to taste, finish with some extra dill and serve these summer sausage meals.
Get the recipe here.

12. Grilled Sausage Potato Pepper Bowls

Grilled sausage, potatoes, and peppers are combined in this delicious summer bowl recipe! It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner, great for a BBQ, or perfect to take on your next camping trip!

Diced red potatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, and garlic are tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and cilantro to make a delicious base for the bowl, which is then topped with the scrumptious grilled jalapeno cheddar sausage and shredded cheddar cheese.
Get the recipe here.

11. Grilled Sausage, Peppers, and Potatoes

The ultimate mess-free dinner recipe, these delicious sausages, pepper, and potato grilling packets are easy to make and fun to eat! Red pepper slices and whole garlic cloves are tossed in olive oil and oregano then caramelized until sweet and tender.

The end result? A family-friendly dinner that takes just minutes to prepare and requires minimal dishes and clean-up. Summertime dinner perfection. Your fork is waiting.
Get the recipe here.

10. Fresh Rigatoni with Sausage, Broccoli & Garlic in Chicken Broth

Wholesome broccoli pairs with irresistible sausage in this one-pot dinner or summer sausage meals that will please kids and adults alike. Anchovies are the secret ingredient in this dish. They give it a deep, savory flavor without a bit of fishiness, so if you’re tempted to skip them, don’t! If you’re in the market for a simple, comforting pasta dish, look no further.

This Italian-inspired combination is easy enough that kids can lend a hand. Let older helpers cut off the broccoli florets while little ones have fun whisking together the sauce. Feel free to use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter meal.
Get the recipe here.

9. Easy and Amazing Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skewers

Easy and Amazing Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skewers are simple to make and taste out of this world, good! Bold, flavorful Shrimp and Sausage make the perfect pairing on your next barbecue. Grilling is my favorite way of making meals in the summertime. Spending summer nights outside with my family is a highlight for me.

Any chance I have to grill I will be outside creating new and fun recipes that I love. Enjoy this bold flavor of cajun on the shrimp and sausage. You won’t go wrong with an easy meal that is sure to please all family members. I love how simple these skewers are to assemble.
Get the recipe here.

8. Sausage, Mushroom & Spinach Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce

This recipe for sausage, mushroom & spinach pasta with red pepper sauce is a hearty, filling meal that’s perfect for summer entertaining. It can easily feed a crowd and is ready to go in just 45 minutes! Yess!!! ???? The real star of this dish is the Aidells Italian Style with Mozzarella Cheese Sausage. We’re obsessed.

Not just with this specific kind, but with all of their sausages! The flavor is always incredible! Plus they’re gluten free, contain no nitrates or added hormones, and are crafted with real hand-picked ingredients in small batches. And because they’re pre-cooked, they only take about 8 minutes to heat up-you can’t beat that! These summer sausage meals are best for lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe here.

7. Pesto and Sausage

These Pesto and Sausage foil packs are one of our favorite campfire dinners complete, with Italian-style chicken sausage, corn on the cob, green beans, red potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and pesto! This recipe is perfect for the campfire, grill, or oven. These were crazy popular with the family and they’re so simple to make.

The best part though? Not only are they downright delicious, but they’re also filled with good, nutritious ingredients. After long days of hiking and exploring, nothing beats cooking and eating these pesto and sausage foil pack dinners.
Get the recipe here.

6. Italian Sausage Soup with Ravioli

A hearty and delicious recipe for Italian Sausage Soup made with Italian sausage, fresh ravioli pasta, vegetables, and seasonings. I always have requests for this recipe when I serve it! I love this hearty and flavorful Italian soup during the cold winter months. It’s the perfect bowl of comfort food.

Nothing is better than a hot pot of soup and warm crusty bread on a cold winter day. Feel free to make substitutions to suit your taste buds. Using ravioli with a variety of complimentary fillings is a fun way to switch it up. Either way, it’s incredibly delicious and you will love these summer sausage meals!!
Get the recipe here.

5. Hawaiian Kielbasa Kabobs

Savor every moment of your summer with an easy dinner recipe that’s perfect for the season! From get-togethers with friends to pool parties, camping trips, and family cookouts, these Hawaiian Kielbasa Kabobs are a fresh and simple option that suits any occasion!

Fortunately, smoked sausage makes meal prep quick and easy, thanks to fully-cooked kielbasa that’s ready for a good char on the grill or over the campfire! The combination of savory sausage paired with fresh summer vegetables, zesty red onion, and sweet, juicy pineapple is like an instant party in your mouth!
Get the recipe here.

4. Sausage and Spinach Alfredo

This Creamy Sausage and Spinach Alfredo always gets rave reviews when friends and family make it! It’s so easy and so delicious! The alfredo (in my opinion) is super rich but totally delicious. BigBear said it was perfect.

After this sits in the fridge it does get rather thick. I find that a splash of milk or cream before reheating help! The cajun andouille sausage that I buy is already cooked so I just have to heat it but if you buy sausage that isn’t fully cooked, allow time to cook it throughout.
Get the recipe here.

3. Garlic Herb Sausage and Veggie Foil Packs

Zesty herb seasoned Shrimp Sausage and Veggie Foil Packs made in just 30 minutes for a perfect Summer grilling recipe or summer sausage meals! These foil packets are absolutely loaded with tasty ingredients and big flavors. It’s time to share my latest foil pack obsession with you and let me tell you right now, it is GOOD. So much flavor crammed into these individual serving foil packets it’s crazy.

And that flavor is coming from a handful of tasty ingredients like crunchy bell peppers, tender zucchini, fresh-squeezed lemon, sausage, shrimp, and most of all, GrillMates Zesty Herb Marinade.
Get the recipe here.

2. Turkey Sausage & Broccolini Orzo

One-pot dinners like this Creamy Turkey Sausage & Broccolini Orzo can help to save precious time on busy weeknights! This entire recipe comes together in a single skillet and is ready in under 20 minutes. You can serve it up immediately or store it in the fridge for up to 3 days and pack it for lunch! Stir in the chicken broth and cover the skillet.

Cook, stirring often until the orzo has absorbed all of the liquid, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Get the recipe here.

1. Quinoa Kale & Sausage Bowl

People who say they don’t like salad — AREN’T DOING IT RIGHT! There. I’ve said it. Salad isn’t iceberg lettuce, mealy tomatoes, and bottled dressing — I mean, I wouldn’t like that either.

When they’re done right, a good salad is a symphony of flavors of summer sausage meals — satisfying and utterly delicious, like this Spicy Sausage, Tomato, and Avocado Salad. Yes, it’s got quinoa and kale (tongue sticking out emoji, DAD) but it’s also loaded with a ton of good and good-for-you ingredients.
Get the recipe here.

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21 Easy Summer Sausage Meals For Meal Prep!