Quick Answer
Yes, you can substitute breakfast sausage for Italian sausage in most recipes. While they are different types of sausage and will impart slightly different flavors, breakfast sausage makes a suitable stand-in when you’re in a pinch. The key differences are that breakfast sausage is usually seasoned with sage and black pepper while Italian sausage contains fennel, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Breakfast Sausage vs. Italian Sausage
Breakfast sausage and Italian sausage are both tasty pork sausages but they have some distinct differences:
Ingredients
| Breakfast Sausage | Italian Sausage |
|---|---|
| Ground pork | Ground pork |
| Sage | Fennel seeds |
| Black pepper | Oregano |
| Salt | Red pepper flakes |
| Onion powder | Parsley |
| Garlic powder | Salt |
| Paprika | Garlic |
| Sugar | Black pepper |
As you can see, while both sausages contain pork, salt, garlic, and black pepper, the seasonings differ. Breakfast sausage relies on sage as the dominant seasoning while Italian sausage uses oregano, fennel and red pepper flakes.
Flavor
Due to the different seasonings, breakfast sausage and Italian sausage have distinct flavors:
- Breakfast sausage has a peppery, slightly sweet flavor with a woodsy sage background.
- Italian sausage has a robust flavor profile of anise from the fennel seeds, earthy oregano, and heat from red pepper.
So breakfast sausage tends to be milder mannered while Italian sausage packs more of a punch.
Preparation
Both types of sausage can be purchased as:
- Fresh sausage in links or bulk-style
- Pre-cooked smoked sausage
- Raw sausage meat
For recipes specifying Italian sausage, it’s best to use raw Italian sausage meat so you get the full flavor during cooking. With breakfast sausage, you can be a bit more flexible since the flavor profile is more one-dimensional.
Use
Here are the typical uses for each type:
| Breakfast Sausage | Italian Sausage |
|---|---|
| Breakfast dishes like burritos, sandwiches, casseroles, etc. | Pasta sauces, pizzas, soups, etc. |
| Side for breakfast or brunch | As a stand-alone appetizer |
| Added to rice or grains | In sandwiches or on pizza |
| Crumbled over a salad | On kabobs or in sausage rolls |
Breakfast sausage plays a supporting role in many breakfast foods. Italian sausage can stand alone as an appetizer or skewer, or gets incorporated into hearty dishes like pasta, soups and casseroles.
Substituting Breakfast Sausage for Italian Sausage
While breakfast sausage won’t provide the exact same Italian sausage flavor, it can work nicely as a substitute in most recipes. Here are some tips:
- Use raw breakfast sausage so the flavor blooms during cooking.
- Add a pinch of fennel seeds and red pepper flakes to approximate the Italian sausage flavor profile.
- For pasta sauces, boost the oregano, basil or other Italian herbs in the recipe.
- Cook the breakfast sausage fully until nicely browned for the best texture.
- If using pre-cooked breakfast sausage, add it later in the recipe process since it just needs to be heated through.
The breakfast sausage flavor will come through more than the Italian sausage notes. But the heartiness and meatiness of the sausage still makes it a good substitute.
Some good options for swapping in breakfast sausage:
- Pasta sauces – The breakfast sausage adds nice meaty flavor.
- Soups and chilis – It works well cooked into the broth.
- Casseroles or bakes – Mixed into cheese, eggs or veg, it adds protein.
- Pizza – Breakfast sausage gives a tasty topping.
- Skillet dishes – Substitute 1:1 in dishes like sausage and peppers.
For recipes where the Italian sausage flavor profile is really critical like sausage rolls or sausage-focused appetizers, try to use actual Italian sausage if possible.
Dishes to Use Caution
There are a few instances where breakfast sausage may not be the best substitute:
- Recipes where fennel seed flavor is very dominant. The breakfast sausage won’t replicate that anise-like licorice note.
- Dishes where spice level is important. Breakfast sausage doesn’t have the heat from red pepper flakes.
- Places where texture is critical. Breakfast sausage tends to have a softer texture and more crumbles than Italian sausage that often holds its shape better when cooked.
So for something like sausage stuffed peppers, the different flavor and texture might be more pronounced. And in dishes that rely heavily on fennel like Italian wedding soup, the breakfast sausage may taste out of place.
Adjusting Recipes When Substituting
To help make the breakfast sausage substitution work better, consider tweaking the recipe a bit:
- Add a pinch of fennel seeds to the breakfast sausage while browning to approximate the anise flavor.
- Mix in some red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
- Increase herbs like oregano, basil or parsley to layer the Italian flavor.
- Replace salty pancetta or prosciutto with the breakfast sausage to maintain saltiness.
- Saute some mushrooms or red bell peppers along with the sausage.
- Use a tomato-based sauce or puree to balance the flavor.
Getting the seasoning right may take some trial and error. But with some adjustments, you can achieve a very similar end result in most recipes.
Best Breakfast Sausage Options
Not all breakfast sausages are created equal. Here are some good varieties to use:
- Jimmy Dean – A household name in breakfast sausage. Well seasoned and comes in links and rolls.
- Owen’s – Available in mild and hot varieties. Minimal ingredients and nicely spiced.
- Applegate – Made from organic, humanely raised pork. Subtly seasoned.
- JONES – Contains no antibiotics or artificial ingredients. Good spice blend.
- Beyond Meat – For a vegetarian/vegan option, this plant-based sausage has good flavor.
Check the labels and look for breakfast sausage without too many weird binders, fillers or artificial flavors. The simpler the ingredient list, the better.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips on substituting breakfast sausage for Italian sausage:
- Use raw breakfast sausage so the flavor develops as it cooks.
- Boost classic Italian herbs and spices like oregano, fennel, basil and red pepper.
- Add breakfast sausage to sauces, soups, casseroles rather than sausage-centric dishes.
- Cook the breakfast sausage thoroughly until browned.
- Balance the flavor with tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers or a salty pork product.
- Adjust seasonings to taste – adding more red pepper or fennel if needed.
While breakfast sausage won’t mimic the exact taste and texture, it can work very well as an Italian sausage substitute in most recipes. With a few simple tweaks, you can come close to the signature flavor.
Conclusion
Breakfast sausage makes an acceptable substitution for Italian sausage in a range of dishes. While the flavors vary, breakfast sausage can provide the hearty meatiness and seasoning of Italian sausage in recipes like pastas, soups, pizzas and bakes. Use raw breakfast sausage and boost the Italian spices to come closest to the intended taste. Avoid using breakfast sausage in recipes where fennel seed flavor or spice level are very important. With some adjustments to herbs and seasonings, you can achieve good results substituting breakfast sausage in most recipes calling for Italian sausage.