Randy Chandler
Bratwurst is a traditional German sausage seasoned with marjoram, nutmeg, white pepper, onion, and garlic. It can be cooked in the oven and is a great alternative if you don't have access to a grill or the weather is poor. The oven-cooked method achieves the same results as grilling: a juicy sausage with a crispy exterior. The cooking time is around 20 minutes, and you can add vegetables to the baking sheet for a full meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350ºF-425ºF (400ºF is most common) |
| Baking time | 15-25 minutes (8 minutes on one side, flip, then 6-7 minutes) |
| Baking sheet | Rimmed, lined with parchment paper or foil |
| Oven rack position | Center |
| Broiling | High broil for 3 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 160ºF |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Buns, sauerkraut, peppers, onions, mustard, ketchup, beer cheese, French fries, pasta salad |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven to 400-425°F
Preheating your oven is an important step in cooking cheese bratwurst as it ensures consistent results and a stabilized temperature for cooking. The optimal temperature for cooking bratwurst is between 400°F and 425°F, with the higher temperature yielding a quicker cooking time and crispier edges.
To preheat your oven to this temperature range, first, ensure your oven rack is in the center position. This is important as it ensures even cooking. Next, you can place a baking sheet, casserole dish, or any other pan inside the oven as it preheats. Using a pan with a rim will help prevent any juices from spilling over. Cover the pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil to make clean-up easier and prevent sticking.
Once the oven has reached the desired temperature of 400°F to 425°F, you can carefully remove the preheated pan using oven mitts. Place the pan on a heat-safe surface and add your bratwurst, ensuring they are not crowded and have adequate space around them.
Cooking Shaved Steak: The Perfect Steak and Cheese
You may want to see also
Prepare a baking sheet
To prepare a baking sheet for cooking cheese bratwurst in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your oven rack is in the centre position.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or tin/aluminium foil. The rim will help to keep any juices from spilling over into your oven, and the foil or paper will make cleanup easier. If you don't have parchment paper, you can spray the sheet pan with non-stick spray so the sausages won't stick.
Place the bratwurst on the baking sheet, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching each other. Leave at least 1" of space between each sausage. If you are cooking vegetables with your bratwurst, place them on the baking sheet first and then lay the sausages on top, ensuring they are touching the parchment/foil and not floating on top of the vegetables.
Cooking Pap with Cheese: A Tasty Adventure
You may want to see also
Add bratwurst to the sheet
Once you've preheated your oven to 400°F or 425°F, it's time to add the bratwurst to the baking sheet. First, ensure that the bratwurst is in a single layer, with each sausage having enough space around it. You can add vegetables to the sheet, but make sure the bratwurst is touching the sheet so that it browns properly. If you're cooking with veggies, place them on the sheet first and then lay the bratwurst on top. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
If you've marinated your bratwurst in beer, remove them from the marinade and place them on a baking sheet. You can also add other flavourings to your bratwurst before placing them in the oven. For example, you could try adding cheese, jalapenos, or other flavour enhancers.
Make sure the bratwurst isn't crowded on the sheet, as this will ensure even cooking. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to use multiple sheets or cook in batches.
The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Trader Joe's Bread Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bake for 8-10 minutes
Once you've preheated the oven to 400-425°F, lined your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and placed the cheese bratwursts on top, spaced evenly apart, it's time to bake them. Place the baking sheet on the centre rack of the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.
While the bratwursts are baking, you can prepare some side dishes. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Cheese, Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions, and French fries all pair well with the sausages. If you want to cook your veggies together with the bratwursts, simply cut them into uniform sizes and add about 10 minutes to the cooking time.
After 8-10 minutes, remove the bratwursts from the oven and turn them over with a pair of cooking tongs. Be sure to use oven mitts when handling the hot pan. Now, place the sausages back into the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the centre is no longer pink and the juices run clear. The bratwursts are ready when they are golden brown and have an internal temperature of 160°F.
Let the bratwursts cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the sausage, making them super yummy and tender.
Quick, Easy, Cheesy: Land O Lakes Mac & Cheese
You may want to see also
Flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes
Once you've preheated the oven to 400°F or 425°F, lined your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and placed your bratwurst on it, it's time to cook. After baking the bratwurst on one side for 8 to 10 minutes, it's important to flip them and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. This ensures that your sausages cook evenly on both sides and achieve a nice sear.
When flipping your bratwurst, use oven mitts to protect your hands from the hot pan. You can use tongs to carefully turn the sausages over. It's important to ensure that the bratwursts are not crowded on the baking sheet and have sufficient space between them. This allows for even cooking and browning.
During the final 5 to 7 minutes of cooking, your bratwurst will continue to develop a crispy exterior while remaining juicy on the inside. This two-step cooking process, with a flip in between, ensures that your sausages cook thoroughly and evenly.
If you're cooking your bratwurst with vegetables, keep in mind that the total cooking time may increase. Vegetables typically require 20 to 25 minutes to cook thoroughly, so plan accordingly.
Remember, the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your bratwurst. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 160°F, to ensure your sausages are fully cooked.
Cheese Curds: Melty, Stretchy, and Delicious
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Preheat your oven to between 350ºF and 425ºF. Most recipes recommend 400ºF or 425ºF for a quick cook and crispy edges.
Bratwursts will take between 15 and 25 minutes to cook in the oven. Bigger bratwursts will need more time to cook. Always check the internal temperature reaches 160ºF before serving.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place the bratwurst on the sheet, ensuring they are not touching. You can add vegetables to the sheet, too.
Bratwurst goes well with peppers, onions, roasted vegetables, potatoes, and sauerkraut. You can serve it on a soft roll or pretzel roll, or without a bun as a main course.
