If you are looking for an easy dinner idea, my Baked Keto Sausage with Creamy Basil Sauce should be on the menu. With only five ingredients and a five-minute prep, it is perfect when you are crunched for time. This easy recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
One of my standard easy meals is dumping a pack of sausage into the crockpot and pouring in some pasta sauce. But, two of my children don’t love for dinner. I wanted to come up with a meal that was just as easy that everyone would enjoy. This was the first time we had dinner sausage that my son willingly asked for seconds and then wanted leftovers for lunch the next day.
This Keto Sausage with Creamy Basil Sauce is as easy as baking the sausage, smearing with the sauce, covering it with cheese, and cooking a few minutes more.
This recipe feeds a lot of people. Mostly because it is rich and filling. My husband served himself a generous portion and could only eat half of it. Give this super simple and straightforward sausage dinner a try. Skip the same old dinners you are used to and try something new and different with your sausage. I know for us this dish was surprisingly an instant family favorite!
How to Make Keto Sausage Casserole
With just 5 ingredients anyone can make this! I use my homemade nut-free basil pesto in this dish but store-bought works just as well. Another great choice is using a sundried-tomato pesto.
First Step: Grab a sturdy casserole dish and spray it down with cooking spray to help prevent sticking. Then preheat your oven!
Second Step: As your oven is preheating lay your sausage into the pan, and bake for thirty minutes. You want to start working on getting your sausage cooked. As it is baking, you will want to start making your creamy sauce.
Third Step: Mix your cream cheese, pest, and heavy cream together. Use a whisk to help remove any clumps.
Expert Tip: Make sure you are using room temperature cream cheese. Cream cheese is very stiff, and if you go to trying to make a sauce with hard cream cheese it is impossible to mix. If you forgot, toss it in the microwave and heat for 10-second intervals and then try to stir it in between each session. As it warms up, it will begin to soften.
Fourth Step: Remove sausage from the oven. Spread the pesto sauce over the sausage and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for around 10 minutes or until the sausage reaches the correct temperature listed below.
Expert Tip: If you want a more golden topping on your keto sausage bake just broil for a minute or two at the end. Just watch it closely so it doesn't burn.
Can I Add Vegetables to Keto Sausage
If you are looking to make your sausage bake a whole meal in one go for it. Feel free to toss in some cauliflower, broccoli, or even asparagus or diced tomatoes. This can make it a complete dinner dish, that is hearty, wholesome, and will give you a boost to get through the rest of the day.
Best Sausage to Use For Keto
This is all about preference here. Whether you enjoy a sweet Italian, spicy Italian, or maybe want a turkey sausage. Reach for what fits your taste buds in terms of sausage. You could even use a chicken sausage if you would like. This creamy sauce pairs with all the types of sausage, and you use the brand you and your family prefer. The one thing you have to do it read labels for added sugar.
If you don't have any sausage links, you can always use ground sausage that has been cooked in a skillet. We prefer links, but I am sure in a pinch ground would taste just as good!
Sides to Pair With Baked Sausage
I get asked about which sides to eat with my entrees a lot. We just rotate between the same four or five most nights. Our standards are raw veggies and dip (the kids’ favorite), non-starchy veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, Brussel sprouts, zucchini), and salad (normally Caesar salad). Sometimes if I make a side that is less kid-friendly (spinach salad with blue cheese and pecans, for example), I will also put out raw veggies and dip.
This sausage dinner is very rich. It does pair better with a lighter side like the roasted broccoli in my photos.
How to Reheat Baked Sausage
You have many options for reheating baked sausage. Whether you want to warm up a sausage or two in the microwave, or even stove top. If you cook on the stove top make sure to cook low and slow so you don't burn the sauce. If you are reheating in the microwave, ensure you have a cover to prevent splatter marks in the microwave.
Another option is warming up your sausage in the oven. If you go this route, place in a greased baking dish, and cover with aluminum foil. Then warm up at 350 degrees until the dish is warmed through. Keeping your sausage covered will help prevent it from drying out as it bakes.
If your sauce is a little thick, add a splash of milk or half and half to help thin it out as it bakes.
Best Way to Store a Sausage Casserole
What I like to do is create single serve containers for us to eat for lunches or quick dinners for the rest of the week. Or if you want to make this dinner another time later in the week, store in the same baking pan, or transfer into an airtight container. Either way, it refrigerates really nicely!
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb Italian sausage chicken, turkey, or pork
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 8 oz mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Put the sausage in the baking dish (cut into bite-sized pieces, if desired). Bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together the cream cheese, pesto, and heavy cream.
- Spread the sauce on top of the sausage. Top with mozzarella. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the sausage is 160 degrees when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to toast the cheese on top. Watch it constantly. It can burn easily.
Nutrition
Originally Published September 26, 2017. Revised and Republished October 9, 2020.
Jo Anne T. says
I was excited to try this recipe when I saw it this morning, and just made this for my dinner tonight. I used mile Italian pork sausage that I already had in the fridge. It didn't disappoint, it was so yummy! Thank you Taryn. I love this dish!
Taryn says
I'm glad you liked it, Jo Anne!
Lindsay says
I made this tonight my thermometer was broken the chicken sausage looked pink on the outside and a tiny pink on the inside. I ate some is this normal for chicken sausage?
Taryn says
Chicken sausage can be a little pink depending on the brand. I personally always like to temp poultry to be extra sure.
April F. says
Easy to make will add to the rotation! Delicious too
Hali Laricey says
My son is allergic to pesto, but I really love 5 ingredient or less recipes, especially for dinner :). Any suggestions for what I sub for it? Thanks! And thanks for all you provide to the community!
Taryn says
What in pesto is he allergic to? The pine nuts? I make it with sunflower seeds because my daughter is allergic to tree nuts too. https://joyfilledeats.com/nut-free-pesto
Cindy says
Made this last night. My husband loved it! It was delicious. The sauce is amazing! Will make again.
Beth says
How much is a single serving? How many per 9x13 casserole dish?
Taryn says
The nutrition facts are based on 12 servings. It will depend on how big your sausage links are but this is 1-2 links with sauce and cheese.
Karen says
Can this be frozen?
Taryn says
I have not frozen this but I think it would freeze fine.
Justine Howell says
So, so yummy for dinner. Even a winner with the kiddos.
Allison says
Love this flavorful and satisfying low carb meal! Thanks for sharing!
Mollie says
Could we use browned ground sausage instead of links?
Taryn says
Sure!
Krissie says
Hi,
Can you sub. The cream? Thanks!
Taryn says
Sure. Coconut milk, half and half, or almond milk should work.
Lisa Richter says
Congratulations on baby Gideon!!
Taryn says
Thank you 🙂