Homemade Italian Sausage Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)

• 1/4 cup crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)

• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds (crushed lightly)

• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds nice flavor)

• 1/4 cup white wine (optional, but helps with flavor)

• Sausage casings (if you want to stuff them, or you can make bulk sausage patties)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat:

   • If you’re using a mix of pork and beef, grind the meat through a meat grinder. If you don’t have a grinder, you can ask your butcher to grind it for you or use pre-ground pork. Make sure the meat is cold for easier grinding.

2. Mix the Seasonings:

   • In a large bowl, combine all the spices, herbs, garlic, onion powder, and salt. Mix them thoroughly.

3. Combine Meat and Seasonings:

   • Add the ground pork (or your meat mix) to the bowl with the seasonings. Use your hands or a spoon to mix it until everything is evenly distributed. If you’re adding wine, add it now and mix it in.

4. Test the Flavor:

   • To check the seasoning, cook a small patty of the sausage mix in a skillet. Taste it and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, garlic, or spices as you prefer.

5. Stuff the Sausage (Optional):

   • If you’re stuffing the sausage into casings, soak the casings in warm water for about 30 minutes to make them pliable. Then, stuff the sausage mixture into the casings, being careful not to overstuff. Tie off the ends of the casings with butcher’s twine.

6. Cook the Sausage:

   • You can cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, grill it, or bake it in the oven. For grilling or pan-frying, cook until browned on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).

7. Storage:

   • You can store uncooked sausage in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Enjoy your homemade Italian sausage on pasta, in sandwiches, or however you like!