Can You Cook Ground Beef and Sausage Together?

If you’re looking to add more flavor and variety to your ground beef dishes, mixing in some sausage is a tasty option. But is it safe to cook ground beef and sausage together? The short answer is yes – with a few tips, you can successfully make delicious combo dishes.

Below we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking ground beef and sausage together. We’ll look at why you may want to mix them, safety tips, how to cook them, and some mouthwatering recipe ideas to try. Let’s get cooking!

Is It Safe to Cook Ground Beef and Sausage Together?

Safety is the number one priority when handling raw meats Provided you take the right precautions, cooking ground beef and sausage together poses minimal risk.

The main safety concern is ensuring they are both cooked to the proper internal temperature. Ground beef should reach at least 155°F internally, while sausage needs to hit 165°F.

Using a food thermometer is the best way to verify temperatures Cook the meat mixture thoroughly until no pink remains and the juices run clear

Additionally, proper handling and sanitation helps prevent bacteria spread. Be sure to wash hands and surfaces after working with raw meats. Avoid cross-contamination by using separate plates and utensils for cooked and raw.

As long as you follow general food safety guidelines, mixing ground beef and sausage during cooking is perfectly safe and opens up lots of tasty options.

Why Combine Ground Beef and Sausage?

Cooking ground beef and sausage together can take your dishes to the next flavor level. Each meat brings different assets to the plate.

Ground beef is a lean, mild, and versatile base. It provides an affordable protein punch and readily absorbs any seasoning or sauce. Ground beef’s muted flavor profile lets other ingredients shine.

Sausage packs a flavor wallop with its blend of herbs, spices, and fat content. Just a little sausage mixed into ground beef infuses tons of extra flavor. Different sausage varieties like Italian, chorizo, bratwurst, etc. give loads of options.

The juicy, seasoned sausage takes typically bland ground beef up a notch. And the lean ground beef balances out sausage’s richer tastes. Combining the two meats brings out the best properties of each.

Tips for Cooking Ground Beef and Sausage

When cooking ground beef and sausage together, follow these tips for success:

• Mix meats before cooking – Blend ground beef and sausage together in a bowl beforehand. This helps them cook evenly.

• Cook in batches – Cook smaller amounts at a time. This prevents overcrowding the pan and ensures even cooking.

• Brown meat well – Cook over medium-high heat until well browned and crumbled. High heat renders fat and develops flavor.

• Drain excess grease – Drain cooked crumbled meat mixture. Excess fat can ruin the dish’s texture.

• Check internal temp – Use a food thermometer to verify meat reaches proper temperature. This guarantees safety.

• Add seasonings – Flavor the meat with spices, herbs, worcestershire, etc. Salt and pepper is a common combo.

With these simple tips, you’ll get perfectly cooked flavorful meat every time. Now let’s look at different recipe methods.

How to Cook Ground Beef and Sausage

There are several approaches to cooking ground beef and sausage together:

1. Skillet

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
• Add ground beef and sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until browned
• Drain excess grease then add desired seasonings
• Use for tacos, pasta sauce, sloppy Joes, etc.

2. Simmered in sauce

• Cook beef and sausage in a skillet until no longer pink
• Add to slow cooker or pan with tomato sauce, chili, gravy, etc.
• Simmer 30-60 minutes until tender and infused with flavor

3. Casserole

• Layer cooked crumbled meat mixture into a casserole dish
• Top with cheese, vegetables, beans, pasta, etc.
• Bake at 350°F until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes

4. Meatballs/meatloaf

• Mix beef and sausage with eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings
• Form into balls or loaf and bake at 375°F until cooked through

These methods all result in tender, flavor-packed beef and sausage combo dishes. Get creative and try your own cooking techniques too!

Delicious Recipes with Ground Beef and Sausage

From pasta bakes to simmering stews, the possibilities are endless when cooking ground beef and sausage together. Try out these tasty recipe ideas:

• Barbecue meatloaf – Meatloaf made with 50/50 beef and sausage topped with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Bake until cooked through and caramelized.

• Beef and sausage chili – Spicy chili with warm chili powder flavors and a combo of 85% lean beef and spicy sausage. Top with cheese, onions, avocado.

• Cabbage roll skillet – Cooked ground beef and sausage tossed with sautéed cabbage and onion, wrapped in soft tortillas for easy cabbage rolls without the fuss.

• Shepherd’s pie – Hearty casserole with ground beef and sausage cooked with veggies such as peas, carrots and corn. Top with creamy mashed potatoes and bake.

• Spaghetti Bolognese – Classic meaty pasta sauce with both ground beef and Italian sausage simmered in tomatoes, red wine, garlic and herbs. Toss with hot pasta and parmesan.

• Breakfast burritos – Scrambled eggs with crumbled beef sausage, potatoes, peppers and cheese wrapped in a toasted flour tortilla makes an easy hearty breakfast.

With minimal effort, you can whip up amazing combo dishes packed with next-level flavor. Try mixing ground beef and sausage today!

The Takeaway

Cooking ground beef together with sausage is absolutely safe when proper precautions are taken. Blending these two versatile meats opens up a world of possibilities to take your dishes to new heights of flavor.

Use the right techniques and recipes to create tender, juicy results. Beef and sausage combinations like casseroles, meatballs, chili and more will please any crowd. So go ahead and start cooking ground beef and sausage together for maximum taste!