After all the holiday parties and open bars, I’ve been craving healthy, easy meals that I can make in one pan. They make me feel good.
Don’t get me wrong—I love that the holiday season is also a time to treat yourself, but sometimes I really want some fresh vegetables, especially during the week.
I was really looking forward to a lot of fresh, healthy meals that would keep me fed and happy after Thanksgiving.
I bought some Trader Joe’s chicken sausage, and found one particular recipe from Jenn Eats Good. It was so delicious that I figured I’d experiment with it.
After getting ideas from it, I made a version that isn’t dairy-free but is still very tasty thanks to the many flavors.
It took a lot of courage for me to try Trader Joe’s Italian Style Chicken Sausage because I usually love regular Italian sausage so much. But when I finally tried it, I was shocked—it tasted almost exactly like regular pork sausage! If you buy it, make sure it’s the Italian style.
Tomato Paste: A few scoops from a fresh can of tomato paste will do the trick with this. You can use a wooden spoon to crush a few cherry tomatoes instead of tomato paste if you don’t have any on hand. They will still make a tasty meal.
Shallots, diced: In Italian-style recipes, I like shallots better than onions because they taste sweeter and go better with the rest of the dish. You can use a quarter of a regular yellow onion if you only have one onion, though.
Minced Garlic: Every single dish is better with minced garlic. Just be sure to mince it yourself and not use the kind that comes in a jar.
Spinach: This gives the recipe the kick of freshness that makes it so delicious. If you don’t like spinach, use kale.
Heavy Cream: You don’t need a lot, just a dash to keep this dish thick, creamy, and delicious. If you don’t like heavy cream, you can use oat milk instead, which is a popular dairy-free option.
Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: This will give your dish all of the flavor that it needs.
First, dice your chicken sausage into little pieces. With your olive oil, heat them in a large skillet on medium-high heat until crispy on both sides. No need to worry about the internal temperature, the flavorful chicken sausages come pre cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the rest of the olive oil, begin to saute your diced shallot. Saute until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add your minced garlic, stirring for another minute or so.
Add your tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and begin to combine with the shallot and garlic. Gently pour in broth to emulsify the tomato paste, stirring until the paste breaks up and disperses.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, making sure to save about a cup of the pasta water. (You can also cook the pasta right in the sauce; just make sure it’s covered and add a little more broth if needed.)
Add heavy cream, turn your heat to high, and let everything start to bubble. Turn the heat down to low, add the chicken sausage back in, and let it cook for a few minutes, stirring every now and then.
Add your spinach and let wilt in the sauce. Once ready, add your pasta to the pan, and thoroughly stir to combine.
A: Due to everything combining in the pan together, including the pasta, I don’t recommend freezing this dish. However, you can freeze the chicken sausage until you’re ready to use it if you’d like.
A: Shrimp would be delicious with this, same with diced chicken. If you’re using chicken, just make sure to coat the pieces in seasoned flour before use. And of course, traditional sausage would be delicious as well.
If you want to make chicken sausage, I think you should use Italian style chicken sausage instead of sweet apple chicken sausage. The flavor profile will be a lot better.
A: There is no gluten in this dish because I used brown rice pasta. But you could use red lentil pasta, whole grain pasta, chickpea pasta, cauliflower gnocchi, or even regular pasta if you want.
Trader Joe’s hot Italian sausage is a fan favorite for good reason These spicy, herbaceous sausages are packed with big, bold flavor in each bite But to truly get the most out of them, it’s crucial to cook them properly. Undercooking leaves them lacking that satisfying snap when you bite in. Overcooking makes them dried out and chewy.
After much trial and error, I’ve nailed down the ideal method for cooking Trader Joe’s hot Italian sausages to juicy, flavorful perfection every time. Follow these simple steps and tips and you’ll be a pro sausage cooker in no time!
Choosing the Right Cooking Method
Trader Joe’s spicy Italian sausages can be made using various cooking techniques like pan frying, baking, grilling, and more. The method depends on your time constraints, desired texture, and other meal components. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular cooking methods:
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Stovetop: Pan frying is quick and easy, yielding a nice browned exterior and juicy interior.
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Oven: Baking gives a more hands-off approach. It takes longer but cooks the sausages evenly.
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Grill: Grilling imparts great char and smoky flavor. Move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
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Air Fryer The air fryer is fastest, cooking the sausages crisp on the outside in 8-10 minutes without oil
No matter the cooking method, closely following procedure is vital for the best results.
Step-by-Step Pan Frying
Pan frying is my go-to for cooking Trader Joe’s Italian sausages. Follow these simple steps for sausages with a crispy browned exterior and juicy interior:
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Heat 1 tbsp oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat,
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Once oil is shimmering, add sausages. Cook 4 minutes, flip, cook 4 more minutes.
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Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking 2-3 minutes, rolling frequently, until done.
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Transfer sausages to a paper towel-lined plate. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Pro tips:
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Use metal tongs to flip sausages. This prevents puncturing the casings.
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Resist urge to pierce sausages as they cook.
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Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to over or undercook Trader Joe’s Italian sausages if you’re not careful. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
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Overcrowding the pan – Cook sausages in a single layer with space between each one. Crowding steams versus browning.
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Piercing sausages – Never pierce with a fork as they cook. This releases all the flavorful juices!
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Undercooking – Ensure sausages are fully cooked until no longer pink inside. Cut one open to check doneness if unsure.
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Overcooking – It’s easy to overcook if left on heat too long after browning. Use lower heat and frequent rolling.
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Not resting – Letting sausages rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute for a juicier sausage. Don’t skip this step!
Cooking Times for Different Methods
To guarantee perfect doneness, here are approximate cooking times for Trader Joe’s hot Italian sausages:
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Stovetop: 8-10 minutes total. 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. 2-3 minutes rolling over medium heat.
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Oven: 20-25 minutes total. Bake at 425°F, flip halfway through.
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Grill: 10-12 minutes total. 4-5 minutes per side direct high heat. 1-2 minutes indirect heat to finish.
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Air Fryer: 8-10 minutes at 400°F, flip halfway.
Always verify doneness by cutting into one sausage to check internal color and temperature.
Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up these amazing Trader Joe’s sausages. Here are some of my favorite ways to eat them:
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On a bun with grilled peppers and onions
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Chopped up in pasta dishes like ziti or rigatoni
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In a sausage and pepper sandwich
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On pizza with tomato sauce and mozzarella
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Crumbled into scrambled eggs or breakfast hash
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Added to soups like minestrone or tortellini
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On an antipasto or charcuterie platter
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Served with roasted veggies and grain bowls
With so many options, you’ll never get bored cooking up these flavorful sausages. Just follow my tips for cooking them perfectly every time. Enjoy!
Some Other Great Recipes To Try Out With This:
Drink: Try out this light limoncello spritz with this dish!
Appetizer: Craving something a little lighter? Try this ciabatta garlic bread.
Dessert: Have some extra time on your hands? Try making some homemade gelato!
Italian sausage and pepper Recipe |Trader Joe|QUICK MEALS
FAQ
Is Trader Joes sausage already cooked?
What is the best way to cook hot sausage?
Is it better to cook sausages in the oven or pan?