How to Cook Hot Sausage in an Electric Roaster for a Crowd

Cooking hot sausage for a large gathering can seem daunting, but it’s easy to do with an electric roaster. These oval or rectangular countertop appliances allow you to cook large batches of food evenly and conveniently. Hot sausage and peppers is a classic crowd-pleasing combo that’s perfect for an electric roaster. With a few simple tips, you can make tender, juicy sausage and colorful sautéed peppers to feed all your guests.

Benefits of Using an Electric Roaster

Electric roasters have many advantages when cooking for a crowd:

Large capacity – Roasters can hold 20-30 pounds of food, enough to serve 25-30 people No need for multiple pans
Even heating – Electric roasters have heating elements in the bottom and sides for consistent heat distribution. No cold or hot spots.
Self-contained – Roasters have lids so you don’t have to worry about splattering Countertop models don’t take up oven space
Portability – Some roasters have no-slip feet allowing you to transport food from kitchen to buffet table
Easy temperature control – Adjustable thermostats let you set and maintain an ideal cooking temp.

Tips for Cooking Sausage in an Electric Roaster

Cooking sausage properly is key to maximizing its flavor. Here are some tips:

Use raw sausage links or ropes, not pre-cooked. Raw sausage holds up better when roasted.
Leave sausage casings on for roasting to prevent crumbling. Slice off casings after cooking.
Arrange sausage loosely in a single layer for even cooking. Overcrowding causes uneven heating.
Add a little water to the bottom to keep sausage moist during roasting.
Roast at 300°F, turning sausage every 15 minutes, until browned and 160°F internal temp.
Let sausage rest 5-10 minutes before slicing into individual portions.

Peppers and Onions – The Perfect Accompaniment

Sautéed bell peppers and onions complement roasted sausage wonderfully in taste, texture, and color.

Green, red, yellow, orange – the more variety, the better!
Leave peppers whole or slice into thick strips. Cut onions into 1-inch wedges.
Toss peppers and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Sauté over medium heat until softened and lightly browned but still crisp.
Transfer peppers and onions to a serving platter after cooking.

Step-by-Step Method

Follow these simple steps for hot sausage and peppers using an electric roaster:

Preheat roaster to 300°F. Add a small amount of water to the bottom.
Arrange 5 pounds raw Italian sausage links or ropes loosely in the roaster.
Top with sliced bell peppers and onions. Cover.
Roast for 2 hours, turning sausage every 15 minutes.
Transfer peppers and onions to a platter. Tent with foil to keep warm.
Increase temperature to 400°F. Roast sausage 15 minutes more to brown.
Remove sausage from roaster and let rest 5-10 minutes.
Slice sausages into individual portions. Arrange on platter with peppers and onions.
Serve immediately while hot, or keep warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.
Provide hoagie rolls, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce for DIY sausage sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Freezing Tips

You can prep parts of this meal in advance:

Cook peppers and onions 1-2 days ahead. Cool, cover, and refrigerate.
Roast sausages early in the day. Reheat in roaster at 400°F before serving.
Freeze extra roasted sausages in vacuum seal bags or freezer containers up to 2 months.

Satisfy Your Crowd With Sausage and Peppers

Cooking hot sausage and sautéed peppers in an electric roaster is an easy, fuss-free way to feed a hungry crowd. With minimal preparation, these flavorful “subs in a bowl” will satisfy guests of all ages. Experiment with different sausage and pepper varieties to discover new taste sensations. Your new go-to dish for large gatherings is only a roaster away!

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FAQ

How long to cook sausage on high heat?

Preheat the grill to high heat or around 450 degrees F. Grill. Place the sausages directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the sausages and grill for another 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F.

How long to cook sausages in electric oven?

Place the sausages on a baking tray and cook for 20-25 minutes, until thoroughly cooked, turning halfway through the cooking time. Individual types of sausages may have slightly different cooking times check the packet for specific instructions.

What temperature do you roast sausages?

At 400 degrees Fahrenheit in an oven, sausage takes between 10-45 minutes to cook fully. Thin slices or patties may cook in just 10 minutes, while thicker links can take up to 45. Regardless of the meat’s thickness, you should turn the sausage every 10 minutes so it cooks evenly.

How much sausage do I need for 40 people?

Are you having a sausage party? Or are you just having people over for dinner and need to know how many pounds of sausage to buy? In my experience, when it comes to sausages, a good rule of thumb is a half-pound per person.

How long does it take to cook sausage in the oven?

While sausage is cooking, chop your peppers and onions. When sausage is browned and cooked completely, pour your onions and peppers over the top of sausage. Add tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Return to oven and cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until peppers and onions are soft.

Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?

Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.

How to cook sausage & peppers in the oven?

When preparing sausage and peppers in the oven you will find it is really easy. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, add one tablespoon olive oil to your roasting pan and then add sausage links. Once you have your roasting pan of sausage ready, you will place it in the oven. Cook sausage for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

How long do you cook sausage links in the oven?

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, add one tablespoon olive oil to your roasting pan and then add sausage links. Once you have your roasting pan of sausage ready, you will place it in the oven. Cook sausage for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. While sausage is cooking, chop your peppers and onions.