Sausages are one of the most versatile meats around. Not only can you eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you can also eat them as a snack.
Even better, there are so many different types of sausages that you'll always have something new to try. Sausages have an irresistibly delicious taste, but they become even more so if they're cooked properly.
The next time you have a hankering for some sausages, just follow these steps to learn how to cook sausage in a toaster oven.
Step by Step Process of Cooking Sausage in A Toaster Oven
Step 1: Choose your Sausages
First, choose your sausages. It's best to buy sausages that are made with fresh pork and beef rather than using older, cheaper meats like chicken or turkey. You can make your own sausage by adding spices and herbs, such as sage or thyme, as well as salt and pepper. If you don't have any seasoning handy, just use whatever you have in your kitchen cupboard.
Prepare them
Once you’ve selected your sausages, you should remove them from the packaging, and either places them on a plate or cutting board. If your sausages have been refrigerated for a long period of time, then it helps to take them out about 15 minutes prior to cooking so they can come closer to room temperature.
This is especially helpful if you’re going to be cooking your sausages in the toaster ovens since refrigerated meat will cool down the grill too much and cause flare-ups.
Step 2: Preheat The Toaster Oven
The first step to perfectly cooked sausage in the oven is making sure your toaster oven is hot. You want the internal temperature of the toaster oven to be about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preheating will allow the sausage in the oven to cook faster and more evenly, which means that it'll stay juicy inside rather than drying out. You don't want your perfectly seasoned sausage to dry out during cooking.
Step 3: Lay Baking Sheet or Parchment Paper On a Baking Pan
This is to make clean-up easier, as well as help, prevent the sausages from sticking to the pan's surface. If you don't have a baking sheet or parchment paper, you can grease or spray the pan with cooking oil before you place the sausages on it.
Step 4: Arrange The Sausage Links On the Tray
You should place them in a single layer, so they cook evenly and quickly. If they overlap each other, they might steam rather than roast. To ensure maximum crispiness and flavor, leave room between each link before you put them in the oven.
If you'd like, you can lightly brush or spray the sausages with olive oil before cooking them for even more flavor, but it's not required.
Step 5: Cook Sausage in the Oven
Once you have finished preparing, put the pan in the heated oven and cook sausages for 20-25 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of one of the sausages in its thickest part. The sausage should be at least 165 F and no longer pink inside.
If it is not cooked through, put it back into the toaster oven for another three minutes or until fully cooked. Let the rest of the sausage for about two minutes before serving so that they retain their juices and do not break apart when you bite into them.
Types of Sausages to Cook in Toast Oven
Italian Sausage
In its raw form, Italian sausage looks similar to ground beef or turkey. It is the flavorings that make this product different from other types of sausage. The exact ingredients vary depending on the manufacturer, but Italian sausages typically include fennel seed, anise, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. It's not uncommon for an Italian sausage recipe to include red wine as well.
It's common to find this type of sausage thinly sliced and served on pizzas. However, you may also purchase it whole in link form, which can be cooked and added to a range of recipes.
Bratwurst Sausage
Bratwurst is a type of sausage that comes from Germany, and it's one of the most popular types of sausage enjoyed by the whole world. Brats are usually made with pork, but they can also be made with veal, beef, or a combination of these meats. They're often seasoned with ginger, nutmeg, coriander, and caraway. Bratwurst is often served on a bun with ketchup and mustard and sometimes sauerkraut.
If you've never tried bratwurst, you should give it a try. There are so many delicious ways to cook the sausages; they can pan steamed, grilled, cooked in a regular oven, etc. They are good as an appetizer or as part of your main course. You don't have to be German to enjoy this tasty treat.
Andouille Sausage
Andouille sausage is a smoked pork sausage, and it's a specialty of Louisiana and Cajun culture. This sausage is usually made up of ground pork, pepper, garlic, salt, and usually a liquid such as wine or beer. After these ingredients are combined, the sausage is stuffed into casings, which can be either natural or artificial, depending on the recipe. The sausage is then smoked for several hours before being eaten.
Andouille sausage is considered more of a breakfast food due to its smoky flavor that can overpower other foods, but it can also be used in lunch or dinner dishes as well.
What Food Can You Serve with Sausage?
Sausage goes well with many other foods, so it's not hard to find things to serve with sausage. It is often served with bread foods, such as bagels or English muffins.
Breakfast sausage also can be served with potatoes or hash browns, as well as eggs, bacon, and other meat. Sausage also goes well with vegetables, such as roasted or sautéed peppers and onions.
Mashed Potatoes
Sausage and mashed potatoes are one of those classic combinations that never go out of style.
You can make mashed potatoes by boiling them until they're soft, then mashing them up with milk or butter until they're smooth and creamy. You can also add olive oil, seasonings like garlic powder, or chives if you want something more flavorful than just plain potatoes.
Salads
Another great way to serve sausage is with salads because they both taste great together and are easy to prepare at home. You can even make your own salad dressing by combining mayonnaise and mustard or pickle relish into a creamy dressing that will go well with any type of sausage.
Pizza Topping
Sausage is a common topping on pizza. Just cook sausage and place it on top of the pizza before you bake it.
Breads
Breads are another great compliment to breakfast sausage. If you want something filling like pizza, try making some sandwiches with the sausage.
You can use the same toppings that you would use on any sandwich or just add your favorite condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise. If you want to keep things simple, just throw in some cheese and tomato slices.
No matter what you make it with, one thing's certain: sausage is flavorful enough to stand up to most anything.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Sausage at 350?
Cooking sausages takes around 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven temperature. The exact time depends on the size and thickness of the sausages, so it's important to keep an eye on them during cooking.
If you're using larger sausages about 4 inches long, they will take longer to cook than smaller ones in toaster ovens. You can also cook more sausages at once if you want to save time and energy.
If you want to add more flavor, make sure you use ingredients that go well together, for instance, chili or beans for spicy sausages or cheese for sweeter ones.
Finally, make sure you let your cooked sausages rest for five minutes before serving them. This allows all the juices inside to settle into place so that your meal tastes as delicious as possible.
What Is the Best Way to Cook Sausage in The Oven?
There are a few different ways to cook in the toaster oven. You can either use a baking tray, or you can wrap them in aluminum foil and bake them.
Baking trays are best if you want to cook multiple sausages at once or if you're cooking large sausages such as pork. The meat will be contained, and there's less risk of spillage.
Foil is best if you're cooking small sausages such as chicken because it's easier to wrap them up tightly in individual pouches. Both methods are simple and effective for cooking sausage in the oven.
Here's how to do each one:
Baking trays
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a baking tray and line it with foil, then place the sausages on top of the foil. Bake them for around 15 minutes. You can also add some onions and mushrooms to the tray for extra flavor and texture.
Foil pouches
Start by wrapping each sausage in aluminum foil or parchment paper, then place them on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toaster Oven Types
Now that we've seen how to cook awesome sausages in an oven, you can find out more about different types of toaster ovens to suit your other needs. Check out the extracts from those reviews:
2 in 1 Toaster Ovens
These toaster ovens generally feature a 2 slice toaster on top of the oven chamber. Hence, 2 in 1 toaster ovens not only can they toast using the chamber, but also using their slots above. The benefit here is that the slot toaster can be used for some quick toasting for breakfast whereas the oven can be used for irregular food like pizza, bagels etc that cannot fit into the slots.
Rotisserie Toaster Oven
The benefit of a multi-function Rotisserie toaster ovens is that they can help you de-clutter your kitchen space. For example a toaster oven that combines both rotisserie as well as an air fryer feature can end up saving you from individually investing in a separate appliance.
Toaster Ovens with French Doors
These are the rarest kind of toaster ovens since only a select few extra large models feature these. Nevertheless, if you value good looks and ease of access, then french doors toaster ovens are excellent - you can find one that can fit your basic requirements be it affordability, digital, or compactness.
6 Slice Toaster Ovens
These are generally large ovens that are fit for a regular sized family. Not only can these toaster ovens toast 6 slices of bread at a time, they can also cook large recipes as well. The difference in price depends upon the features the model offers. Some offer simple features with knob controls, others offer digital controls or even smart features.
Basic Toaster Ovens
If you have very simple and minimal cooking needs like toasting, reheating or preparing frozen meals, then you can certainly look into the best basic toaster ovens out there. They are not just compact, they are also quite affordable. However, the definition of “basic” differs from person to person.