The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Italian Sausage

Italian sausage is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to pasta bakes. When it comes to cheese, there are several options that pair well with Italian sausage. Mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan are commonly used in Italian sausage sandwiches, providing a gooey texture and a burst of flavour. For those who enjoy a spicy kick, pepper jack cheese is a great option, while Swiss cheese and sharp white cheddar offer a more subtle taste. For a truly indulgent experience, Italian sausage can be stuffed with mozzarella cheese sticks and baked in marinara sauce, resulting in a mouthwatering combination of melted cheese and sausage.

Mozzarella, cheddar, and Havarti cheese

Mozzarella, cheddar, and Havarti are all delicious cheese options to pair with Italian sausage. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into mouth-watering dishes:

Mozzarella and Italian Sausage

Mozzarella is a classic Italian cheese that pairs beautifully with Italian sausage. Here's a simple yet tasty recipe idea: stuffed Italian sausage with mozzarella. To make this, use kitchen shears to carefully split open the sausage casing along one side. Then, insert a mozzarella stick inside and reshape the sausage around it. Place the stuffed sausages in a baking pan, pour your favourite marinara sauce over them, and bake until cooked through. This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Cheddar and Italian Sausage

Cheddar, a versatile and flavourful cheese, complements the robust taste of Italian sausage wonderfully. You can create delicious sausage balls with cheddar by combining ground pork sausage, biscuit baking mix, and shredded cheddar cheese. Form the mixture into walnut-sized balls and bake until golden. These savoury treats are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or party appetisers.

Another idea is to make a hearty Italian sausage gravy with cheddar cheese and herb biscuits. The combination of juicy sausage, creamy gravy, and cheesy biscuits is sure to satisfy any comfort food craving.

Havarti and Italian Sausage

Havarti is a mild and creamy cheese that can be used to create a delicious pasta sauce to accompany Italian sausage. Simply melt butter in a saucepan, add garlic, and then stir in cream or milk. Slowly add diced Havarti cheese, stirring continuously until melted and blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This creamy Havarti cheese sauce can be tossed with your favourite pasta and Italian sausage for a rich and indulgent meal.

So, whether you choose mozzarella, cheddar, or Havarti, you can create delicious and satisfying dishes that highlight the flavours of Italian sausage. Get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the perfect marriage of sausage and cheese!

Provolone and Parmesan cheese

Provolone and Parmesan are two types of cheese that go well with Italian sausage. Provolone is a popular choice for Italian sausage subs, often paired with peppers and onions. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and melts well, making it ideal for toasted sandwiches. Parmesan, on the other hand, is a hard, aged cheese with a strong, nutty flavour. It is often used as a topping for pasta dishes and can also be grated over Italian sausage dishes to add a savoury, umami note.

When choosing between Provolone and Parmesan for a dish with Italian sausage, consider the desired flavour profile and texture. Provolone is best used in melted applications, such as in a toasted sub or a casserole, while Parmesan is more versatile and can be used as a topping, grated over pasta or sprinkled on dishes before baking.

Provolone is a good choice if you want a mild, creamy flavour that will blend well with other ingredients without overpowering them. It melts smoothly and adds a touch of richness to the dish. On the other hand, Parmesan is a better option if you want a more pronounced, savoury flavour that will enhance the overall taste of the dish. Its hard texture makes it ideal for grating, and it adds a pleasant, salty bite to the dish.

Both Provolone and Parmesan have their unique characteristics and uses, so choosing between the two depends on the specific dish you are preparing and your personal preference for flavour and texture.

Mozzarella cheese sticks

Ingredients:

• 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese
• 1 ½ cups plain Panko
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Steps:

• Place the panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until fine crumbs are formed.
• Pour the crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
• In a separate shallow bowl, crack and beat two large eggs.
• Pour the all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl.
• If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.
• Working with one stick at a time, dip the mozzarella first into the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg and let any excess drip off. Finally, dip it into the panko crumb mixture, ensuring the entire cheese stick is coated.
• Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and lay the breaded mozzarella sticks on it. Once all the sticks have been dipped, transfer them to the freezer and chill for at least one hour.
• While the sticks are in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3” deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side, ensuring it is suspended halfway into the oil and not touching the bottom of the pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F.
• Fry the mozzarella sticks two at a time until golden brown (about 1 minute). Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure the oil returns to temperature before frying the next batch.
• Enjoy the mozzarella sticks while they are still warm, dipped in warmed marinara sauce.

Tips:

• It is important to use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
• You can also bake or air-fry the mozzarella sticks instead of frying them.
• If you are using string cheese, you can skip the step of cutting the cheese into sticks.

Swiss cheese

Sandwiches

A classic combination is to make a sandwich with Italian sausage, Swiss cheese, and sharp white cheddar. You can add some vegetables like spinach, onions, and bell peppers to this combination and cook them together to make a delicious and hearty sandwich. Another option is to make a "Frankencheese" sandwich by melting Swiss cheese and cheddar, adding the sausage, and sprinkling some blue cheese on top.

Pizzas

You can also use Swiss cheese on a pizza with Italian sausage. Simply use pita bread as a base, add some sliced onions (caramelized or not), sprinkle the cheese, and add the sausage. Drizzle some olive oil and bake it in a hot oven for about 15 minutes.

Pasta

For a pasta dish, try making a creamy cheese sauce with Swiss cheese. Melt some butter in a saucepan, add milk or cream, and slowly stir in the Swiss cheese until you have a smooth and creamy sauce. Toss cooked pasta with the Italian sausage and cover it with this creamy cheese sauce.

Other Ideas

• Make a frittata by combining Italian sausage, Swiss cheese, eggs, spinach, and onions.
• Create a unique twist on the classic "sausage and peppers" dish by using Swiss cheese.
• For a simple yet tasty option, grill or cook Italian sausages with Swiss cheese.

Gorgonzola

There are several recipes that feature Gorgonzola and Italian sausage. One option is to make a pasta dish with Gorgonzola, Italian sausage, and vegetables such as peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The sausage and vegetables are cooked and then covered in a Gorgonzola cream sauce. This sauce is made by melting butter and adding milk, flour, and the Gorgonzola cheese. The pasta is then tossed in the sauce and served immediately.

Another option is to make a sandwich or sub with Italian sausage, vegetables, and a Gorgonzola cheese sauce. The sausage and vegetables are cooked and then piled on a roll with the cheese sauce. This creates a tasty and comforting sandwich.

Frequently asked questions