Picture this: It’s been a long and hectic day. You’re feeling exhausted and long, hungry faces are staring at you. You look at the clock. You have no idea what to make for yourself and your family. Don’t panic. Open the freezer, exhale and relax when you see a pack of Del Mano sausages. Dinner will be served in 30 minutes!

This scenario happens at least once a week in my home. Whether you’re a busy professional, or a busy parent the pace of life can easily get the best of us. Being hungry can sometimes push the emotions past boiling point (see what we did there?). With Del Mano, know that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the ease of getting that delicious meal served. This is not another recipe to follow, rather some inspiration and guidance on how to approach those meals that should have just cooked themselves already.

Sausages are convenient and easy to cook

Let’s think what goes into our sausages (or meatballs). We mince whole muscle meat, season it, and then stuff into a casing to make a sausage or form into a meatball. It really is that simple. This is a massive time saving step. There is no need for you to defrost a pack of meat, cut it, find some seasoning, marinate then cook. While you could cook from frozen, when in a rush we prefer a few 30 second intervals of defrosting in the microwave prior to pan frying.

You can also try removing the meat from the casing. These sausage crumbles will cook faster and stretch the meal a bit further.

Once they are in the pan, they need very little care. Manage the temperature around medium heat, turn a couple times for even cooking and browning and you’re good to go. It frees up your time to prepare the other elements of your meal.

Sausages are versatile

As our sausages are so flavourful thanks to the fresh herbs and spices used that the other ingredients can be treated more simply. We love this as it means with less than a handful of other ingredients, usually pantry staples, the meal is complete. Your day has been hard enough, no need to make dinner difficult as well.

You can use them in different cuisines, dishes, and courses, from breakfast to dinner, from soups to salads, from sandwiches to casseroles. We offer a wide range of sausages made from different meats – Berkshire Pork, Wagyu Beef, grass-fed lamb, all-natural turkey and even goat and lionfish! Whether you prefer them gently flavoured or intensely so, with a lot of heat or none at all, you’re sure to find products to suit your taste.

Here are two “go-to” ways to prepare delicious and healthy meals with sausages, that can be dressed up or down to your heart’s content.

Sausages and pasta.

The permutations and combinations are endless. Sausage or meatball of your choice, pasta of your choice, 2 or 3 additional veggies, tomato sauce, pesto or cream. Pasta cooks in 8-12 minutes. Our sausages cook in 6-20 minutes, faster if you take it out from the casing. This meal will be done in 30 minutes or less. I start with boiling the water for the pasta, then get the sausages cooking. In another frying pan with some oil, fry some combination of thinly sliced onions, crushed garlic, tomatoes, diced sweet pepper, grated carrots, mushrooms, spinach or cauliflower. By the time that’s done, I’ll add the meatballs or sausages (if I sliced them or they were crumbled) to the pan. Last will be tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes or for a faster option I’ll stir in pesto or cream and remove from the heat immediately. While that was happening, the pasta finished cooking and was drained.  Plate up and enjoy.

Sausages “grazing” style.

This is great for picky eaters. Everyone can choose what goes on their plate. The trick is that you controlled the options to begin with. We’d often have tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot sticks, corn, peas, plantain, broccoli, cheese (feta) and maybe a fruit like five finger, apple or raisins. And of course, sausages – whatever was the first we grabbed out from the freezer. This is the fastest and most fun meal for us. Once the first carrot stick is cut, munching begins. Mayo to dip or salad dressing keeps everyone diving in for more.

Bonus: Sausages on a sheet pan

If you’ve got more prep time and don’t mind waiting a bit longer before eating (go have a quick workout, play with the kids or maybe a shower before dinner) then you must absolutely try this. Chop any veggies on hand. Include a sweet potato, even an apple (roasted apple and sausages – yum!). Toss in olive oil, salt and pepper, maybe some fresh rosemary or thyme, then put all onto a sheet pan. Separate the sausages and place directly on top and put into a 400 F oven for 45 minutes. Turn halfway through cooking if you can.

These are just a few ideas of how to incorporate sausages or meatballs into your weeknight meals. Try different flavours of sausages and combinations of ingredients to create your own favourites. And as they say, practice makes perfect, you’ll soon find yourself routinely whipping up meals like this with your eyes closed!