recipe reviews for:

Hot Italian Sausage

“An Italian friend of mine had an Italian restaurant and used this recipe for over 30 years. When he retired, he graciously consented to passing it on to me. I will share it with you. It is excellent as meatballs, in spaghetti sauce, hamburger patties, or on pizza. This Recipe was prized by him and revered by many. We are lucky to have gotten this Recipe.”

Sort reviews by:
DATE
RATING
MOST HELPFUL

Reviewed: Feb. 21, 2012

This recipe makes exquisite sausage. Really, very tasty and satisfying. I had to change the ratio of ingredients a bit, but all in all, this is our new sausage recipe! I scaled the recipe down to 10 pounds of sausage, so if you're halving it, here is what I used. Super simple to remember. And as a side note, some of the reviewers stated that it wasn't spiced enough, so I made these changes based upon their reviews. - 2 Tbl Salt - 2 Tbl granulated garlic - 2 Tbl ground black pepper - 2 Tbl paprika - 2 Tbl fennel seed, lightly toasted and ground - 1 Tbl red pepper flakes (2 if you're feeling adventurous)

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Maria

Reviewed: Nov. 23, 2011

Made a smaller version (5lbs) of this. Doubled the spices to make it fit our tastes. Very yummy! I use these in several recipes. Thanks!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

JMDSMOM

Cooking Level: Expert

Reviewed: Oct. 23, 2011

Scaled recipe back to 4 servings to make one pound. It wasn't hot and spicy, which is what I wanted and knocked it down 1 star, but it is a GREAT regular Italian Sausage recipe with 5 stars. I fried it in bulk after allowing to sit for 24 hours to add to my homemade pizza chili. Thank you for the recipe.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Denise D

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Lincoln Park, Michigan, USA

Living In: Wyandotte, Michigan, USA

Reviewed: Oct. 15, 2011

Excellent recipe. I downsized it to make two lbs. at a time by proportioning each ingredient. Also added one Tbls. of cider vinegar, really boosts it up.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Just Learning

Reviewed: Oct. 8, 2011

I have a scaled down version of my own.5lbs ground pork.3 tbl kosher salt. 2 tsp black pepper. 1 tbl granulated garlic. 1 tbl paprika 1tbl italian seasoning 1tbl + 2tsp fennel the two tsp fennel in spice grinder.2 tsp ground coriander 2 tbl crushed red pepper. Mix all spices together first then mix into ground pork. Let flavors blend fpr at least 24 hours. I vacuum seal mine into portions.. Yummm!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Salsa

Reviewed: Sep. 28, 2011

This is very nice. I downsized it to 3 pounds pork, ground it on the KA stand-mixer, then stuffed links with the sausage accessory and casing from a local butcher. We ruptured a couple casings from too-high a drive speed, set the speed to 1, then hand-advanced the meat, which worked fine. I like more flavor than this recipe provides. I decided to omit anise, since fennel has licorice flavor, and added some other things: For four pounds of meat. Include fat, or trim it off. 6 garlic cloves 2 white onions, run through the KA meat grinder Basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, flat parsley, red bell pepper, fine chopped or food-processor macerated, optionally run through the KA meat grinder to crush and release juices, or mortar and pestle. A little nutmeg. A little cumin and coriander whole seeds, freshly ground. Salt to taste. (The suggestion to make a little meatball and cook it makes great sense, to gauge how much salt is needed, completely safely.) These are suggestions. You should figure out what tastes good to you and your family.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

MarkinKS

Reviewed: Sep. 26, 2011

Good but could use some work. I cut the servings Waaaay back first off because I was not willing to risk that much should we not like the sausage. The seasoning is too light, it needs to be doubled. We prefer lots of heat so we used even more of the crushed red pepper. (we grow and dry our own) I do suggest as the recipe indicates, to let the flavors mellow 24 hours then make a test meatball. We did this twice so we could adjust the spices. Another tip is to not pack the casings too full as I did. Some of them broke open during baking. They held their shape but I wanted them *perfect*. Dont over stuff to avoid this. I added fresh herbs from my garden of oregano, basil and parsley. I used fresh garlic and no garlic salt. I subbed veg oil with EVOO. Using my changes and additions I will make again.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

What's for dinner, mom?

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)

Cooking Level: Expert

Reviewed: Aug. 1, 2011

This was a little too salty as written. I will try again with less salt.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

emoly516

Reviewed: May 6, 2011

i love italian sausage, this well same alot of money . i can't wait to try it .

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

palmer

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Wheeling, West Virginia, USA

Reviewed: Feb. 5, 2011

As an old school Italian, there isn't nearly enough spice for 20 lbs of pork. Surprised you can get any flavor at all. I've modified several times and I'm getting close to what I consider real Italian hot sausage from the neighborhood. Good spices, just needs a little help. Try this: * cut back to 3-4 lbs of pork (grind your own) * 1/2 tsp salt, * 1 tbs garlic salt, * 1/2 tsp pepper, * 1 tbs paprika, * 1/4 C olive oil, * 1/2 tbs anise , * 2 tbs fennel seed, (fennel is porks best friend) * 1 tbs red pepper Trick: after is sets overnight, fry up a meatball of it and check its flavor. Add what you think it needs and set it overnight again. If it's fresh you should be able to do this several times before you have to freeze it or cook it. Vinnie

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
137 users found this review helpful