Add more flavor to your holidays

When you want to bring the family together for a great meal this holiday season but don’t have a lot of time to cook, stock up on flavorful ingredients to make your job easy and your whole family happy.

Whether you’re serving a hearty breakfast, fun party appetizers or a casual dinner, using Johnsonville Sausage is a simple way to make your recipes taste more delicious than ever. With all the spices and seasonings you need included right in the sausage, you’ll save time and have a flavorful meal sure to bring your family together this holiday season.

For more ways to add great taste to your holidays, visit www.johnsonville.com.

Italian Sausage Lasagna

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

12 lasagna noodles, uncooked

1 16-ounce package Johnsonville Italian All Natural Ground Sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 large container of chunky pasta sauce

1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese

1 egg

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 cups chopped fresh spinach, packed

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside. Sauté Italian sausage, onion and garlic in a skillet until sausage is browned; drain. Add pasta sauce to sausage mixture and set aside.

In medium bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and set aside.

Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and spread 1 cup sauce mixture on the bottom. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Spread 1/4 cup ricotta cheese mixture on noodles and layer on 1 cup sauce mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup spinach and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat this whole process 3 more times starting with the noodles; top with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to finish.

Bake uncovered in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Holiday Breakfast Casserole

Yield: 12 servings

2 packages (12 ounces each) Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage Links

6 English muffins cut into 1-inch cubes

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup red pepper, chopped

12 eggs

2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup bacon bits

Cook sausage according to package directions. Cool slightly; cut into 1/4-inch slices.

In a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish, layer half the English muffin cubes and half the cooked sausage. Repeat layers. Drizzle with butter and top with the cheese, onion and red pepper.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over casserole. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Uncover and bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes.

Old-Fashioned Italian Meatballs

Yield: approximately 12 meatballs

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

1 16-ounce package Johnsonville Italian All Natural Ground Sausage

2 tablespoons olive oil

In large bowl, combine egg, milk and breadcrumbs. Let stand for 3 to 4 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Add sausage; mix well. Shape into meatballs. In a large skillet, sauté meatballs in olive oil until golden brown and no longer pink.

Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and noodles.

Sausage Dippers

Yield: 18 servings

3 packages Johnsonville Smoked Sausage, such as Beddar with Cheddar, BOLD Jalapeno & Cheddar or Chili Cheese, Smoked Turkey, Turkey with Cheddar or Polish sausage

Cut sausage links into 1-inch pieces. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until lightly browned and heated through. Serve with toothpicks and dipping sauces.

Spicy Hot Buffalo Sauce

Yield: 2 cups Buffalo Sauce plus

2 cups Blue Cheese Dressing

1/2 cup butter, cubed

1 bottle (12 ounces) hot sauce

1 bottle (16 ounces) blue cheese salad dressing

In microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and hot sauce. Cover and microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until smooth. Serve buffalo sauce in one bowl and blue cheese dressing in another bowl.

Orange Bourbon Barbecue Dip

Yield: 1 1/4 cups

1 cup bourbon or original barbecue sauce

1/4 cup orange marmalade

In microwave-safe bowl, combine barbecue sauce and orange marmalade. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.

Chinese Dipping Sauce

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

1 jar (7 ounces) hoisin sauce

1 jar (7 ounces) plum sauce

In microwave-safe bowl, combine hoisin sauce and plum sauce. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.

Creamy Mustard Dip

Yield: 1 1/3 cups