How to Cook Bacon and Sausage to Perfection in Your Oven

Bacon and sausage make the perfect protein-packed additions to any breakfast brunch or dinner. But dealing with the splattering grease on the stovetop can be a hassle. Luckily, the oven provides an easy solution for cooking up batches of crispy bacon and juicy sausages without the mess.

In this guide, I’ll walk through the simple steps, ideal temps and cook times to achieve mouthwatering oven-baked bacon and sausages every time. Let’s ditch the frying pans and unlock the secret to easy cleanup and consistently delicious results using your oven.

Benefits of Oven Cooking

Heading to the oven to cook bacon and sausage offers several advantages over stovetop frying:

• Evenly cooked results – The oven heat surrounds the food for consistent texture,

• Making a lot at once is called “large batch cooking.” It’s great for big breakfasts and brunches.

• Less splattering – Contained in the oven, there’s minimal mess.

• Simple to keep an eye on—just set a timer and go about your day while it cooks.

• Hands-free: Just put the food in the oven and let it do its thing.

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to harness the oven’s power for crispy, juicy perfection.

Step 1 – Preheat the Oven

• Preheating is crucial for proper oven cooking. For bacon and sausage, preheat to 400°F (200°C).

• This high heat helps the fat render out for crispy textures.

• Use the oven’s middle rack position so heating occurs evenly.

• Give your oven at least 10-15 minutes to fully preheat before cooking.

Step 2 – Prepare the Baking Sheet

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. This prevents sticking and eases cleanup.

• Avoid overcrowding for even cooking. Use two sheets if needed to spread out the food.

• For extra crispy bacon, place a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow fat to drip through.

Step 3 – Arrange the Ingredients

• Lay bacon slices or sausage links on the sheet in a single layer without overlapping.

• Overlapping causes uneven cooking and sticking together.

• Leave about 1/2-inch between pieces to allow air circulation.

Step 4 – Bake Until Crispy Perfection

• For bacon, bake for 15-20 minutes. For chewier texture, go closer to 15 minutes. For extra crispy, cook longer, checking frequently to avoid burning.

• For sausage links and patties, bake for 15-25 minutes until thoroughly cooked with light browning on the outside.

• Flip ingredients halfway through for even browning. Use tongs for easy flipping.

• Check for doneness before removing. Cook times vary based on oven and batch size.

Step 5 – Drain and Serve

• Transfer cooked bacon and sausage to a paper towel lined plate or wire rack. This absorbs excess grease for a crisper texture.

• Let cool for 1-2 minutes before serving, as the insides keep cooking from residual heat.

• Pour leftover bacon grease into a heatproof container. You can reuse it for sautéing veggies!

Oven Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for flawless oven-cooked bacon and sausage every time:

• Use thick-cut bacon for chewier meaty texture. Regular sliced bacon becomes crisper in the oven.

• Brush sausage links with olive oil before baking for perfect browning.

• For extra flavor, coat bacon in cracked pepper, brown sugar or other spices before baking.

• Bake bacon on a sheet pan vs. pizza pan for better heat circulation and crispness.

• If precooking meats, undercook slightly for reheating later. Fully cooked bacon may burn.

• Let oven racks cool before handling. Use mitts to avoid burns from hot grease.

Recipe Ideas

From breakfast tacos to pasta carbonara, oven-cooked bacon and sausage make delicious additions. Try them in:

• Breakfast sandwiches

• Omelets and frittatas

• Salads like Cobb and wedge

• Soups – adding crumbled bacon or sliced sausage

• Burgers and hot dogs

• Hearty casseroles and egg bakes

• Brussel sprouts, roasted veggies or potatoes

• Bacon mac and cheese

• Baked beans or collard greens