Looking for a lighter, healthier sausage to use in your favorite Italian dishes? This crumbled Italian-style turkey sausage is the perfect addition to tomato sauces, stuffed peppers, pizzas, and kale white bean soup. Made with lean ground turkey, this sausage is lower in fat than traditional pork sausage but packed with Italian seasoning and just the right amount of spice. It’s an easy way to add bold flavor to any meal, and since it’s homemade, you can customize it to suit your taste. This recipe will quickly become your favorite recipe for adding protein-packed crumbles to a variety of dishes.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey (2 lbs): I use lean ground turkey for this recipe because it’s a healthier alternative to pork or ground beef. It absorbs the flavors of the herbs and spices, resulting in delicious crumbles that are perfect for pasta or pizza.
- Chopped Garlic Cloves (2 teaspoons): Fresh garlic is key to that classic Italian flavor. You can also substitute with garlic powder if needed.
- Dried Parsley (2 teaspoons): This herb adds a fresh, slightly bitter taste that balances the richness of the turkey.
- Salt (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors, ensuring your sausage is well seasoned.
- Red Pepper Flakes (2 teaspoons): Provides a bit of heat and spice. You can adjust the amount based on how spicy you like your sausage.
- Dried Oregano (1 teaspoon): A classic herb that gives the sausage its distinctive Italian flavor.
- Dried Thyme (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle earthiness that pairs well with the turkey.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper (1 ½ teaspoons): A must for any sausage recipe, this adds warmth and spice.
- Fennel Seeds (½ teaspoon): The secret ingredient in Italian sausage, giving it that sweet, aromatic flavor. It’s what makes Italian sausage stand out!
- Paprika (½ teaspoon): Adds a mild smoky flavor and a beautiful color to the sausage.
- Olive Oil (3 tablespoons): Use for browning the sausage. It adds a bit of richness and ensures that the sausage doesn’t stick to the pan.
Instructions
Mix the Sausage: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs of lean ground turkey, 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons of dried parsley, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 ½ teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds, and ½ teaspoon of paprika. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until well combined.
Cook the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the turkey mixture to the pan and immediately begin breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula into small crumbles.
Brown the Crumbles: As the sausage cooks, continue breaking it into small pieces, ensuring it browns evenly. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is fully cooked and the crumbles are golden brown.
Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked through, transfer the crumbled sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
How to Serve
- Stir into a hearty tomato or marinara sauce for pasta.
- Use as a flavorful filling for stuffed bell peppers or zucchini.
- Sprinkle over homemade pizza or flatbreads for a protein-packed topping.
- Mix into a baked ziti or lasagna for added flavor and texture.
- Toss with roasted vegetables for a simple, healthy sheet pan meal.
- Use it in soups, like this Kale and White Bean Soup.
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
- Make Sausage Patties: If you prefer turkey sausage patties, simply form the turkey mixture into small patties before cooking. Fry them in a large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. This method is great for breakfast sandwiches or breakfast burritos. I would creep the patties on the smaller size- with a low-fat content, they can dry out easily when you have to cook the larger pattie for longer.
- Freeze for Later: This crumbled sausage freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or plastic wrap in individual portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight or warm in a skillet.
- Adjust the Heat: If you like your sausage spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use in Meal Prep: This sausage is perfect for meal prep! Cook up a big batch, portion it into containers, and use it throughout the week in pastas, soups, and pizzas.
- Alternative Proteins: You can substitute ground chicken, pork sausage, or even a mix of ground turkey and ground beef for different flavor profiles. It’s also a great alternative to store-bought sausage and offers more control over ingredients.
- Healthier Option: Compared to traditional pork sausage, this recipe is lower in fat and calories, but still packs in plenty of flavor. Use this as a way to lighten up any dish without sacrificing taste.
This crumbled Italian-style turkey sausage is an easy and delicious recipe that’s perfect for adding a burst of flavor to pasta, pizza, and more. You can make it ahead for meal prep, freeze it for later, and even shape it into sausage patties for breakfast. Whether you’re looking for a simple recipe to elevate your Italian dishes or a healthy alternative to pork sausage, this homemade sausage is the perfect choice!
If you’ve tried this Italian Turkey Sausage recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Recipe
Crumbled Italian Turkey Sausage
Ingredients
- 2 lbs lean ground turkey
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the lean ground turkey, garlic, parsley, salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, black pepper, fennel seeds, and paprika. Mix well.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey mixture and break it into crumbles with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the turkey is browned and cooked through.
- Transfer the crumbled sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!