Homemade Sausage From Lean Ground Beef or Turkey

Breakfast Sausage Casserole: Two Recipes To Save Money and Calories

Aug 22, 2008 Theresa Bledsoe

Commericially prepared sausage can be expensive and calorie laden. Here's a quick recipe for making your own, followed by directions for A Breakfast Sausage Casserole.

With the price of grocery items on the rise, adding enough protein to your family's diet without breaking the budget can sometimes be a challenge. Ground Turkey, however, is both versatile and extremely economical. It can be used in almost any recipe that calls for ground beef. And, it really does make a good sausage.

Even if you think you're not a fan of ground turkey, the spices used in this recipe give it a lively flavor that just might change your mind. Still not convinced? Try the following recipe using ground beef instead. You will still be saving calories, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.

Ground Beef or Turkey Sausage

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground turkey or very lean ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of sage
• 1/4 teaspoon of basil
• 1/4 teaspoon of oregano

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef or ground turkey, salt, garlic salt, pepper, cumin, sage, basil and oregano.

It will take a while before the spices are evenly distributed, so mix well. Use this as you would any bulk sausage. If forming into patties, keep them very thin, especially if you choose turkey for your main ingredient. Patties that are overly thick may seem too dry, as both turkey and lean ground beef contain less fat than regular sausage.

Recipe note: Try adding this turkey (or beef) sausage to scrambled eggs or omelets. It also makes a good pizza topping. In addition, try substituting this lean version for the commercially prepared, higher fat varieties often called for in breakfast recipes. Below is a hearty sausage bake recipe to get you started.

Breakfast Sausage Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 count) can of crescent rolls
• 1 pound of bulk sausage (See recipe above, or use commerically prepared sausage if desired.)
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup of milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Unroll the crescent roll dough.
2. Press the dough over the bottom and up the sides of a glass 9 x 13 baking dish, sealing seams together as you press. Set aside.
3. Brown the sausage in a skillet, stirring until well cooked and crumbly. Drain.
4. Spread the sausage over the crescent roll dough.
5. Sprinkle with cheese.
6. Beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
7. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage and cheese.
8. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
9. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

The copyright of the article Homemade Sausage From Lean Ground Beef or Turkey in Recipes is owned by Theresa Bledsoe. Permission to republish Homemade Sausage From Lean Ground Beef or Turkey in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.