How to Cook Italian Sausage

Italian sausage comes in countless varieties, including familiar types like pepperoni and salami; the kind of sausage most people refer to when they speak of how to cook Italian sausage is "sweet Italian," "spicy Italian" or "hot Italian" (the latter two are typically the same), and it's found in the pork section of the supermarket. Typically made with pork, peppers and Italian seasonings, Italian sausage is most commonly used in pasta dishes or as a topping for pizza, but it can be the centerpiece of many other dishes as well.

For a somewhat unexpected take on how to cook Italian sausage, try this dinner recipe for a polenta-sausage bowl. It's a quick and easy, and is ready to serve in 30 minutes.

What You'll Need
1 16 ounce tub refrigerated polenta with sun-dried tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 8 ounce package sliced mushrooms
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Step By Step
1. Preheat broiler. Lightly grease baking sheet. Cut polenta in 12 slices. Place polenta and zucchini on baking sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until polenta is lightly browned and zucchini is crisp-tender; turning once.

2. Meanwhile, in large skillet cook and break up sausage over medium heat until sausage begins to brown. Drain off fat. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and seasoning to skillet; cook for 5 minutes, until meat is no longer pink. Slice zucchini crosswise. Spoon sausage mixture and zucchini over polenta. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Tips
This is a great dinner for the summer months when tomatoes and zucchini are in season; you can use whichever variety of Italian sausage you prefer, spicy or sweet. And have a glass of Chianti with your polenta-sausage bowl -- it will make it an "authentic" Italian meal!