Go big for the big game

When your friends and family gather around the big screen for the big game, only big flavor will do! Earn MVP status with quick and easy Johnsonville recipes featuring sausages that are big on flavor when served by themselves, or when they’re included in these traditional sports-fan favorites.

Visit www.johnsonville.com for great recipes to flavor up any get-together.

Touchdown Italian Sausage Chili

12 servings ($1.38/each)

Prep: 35 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

1 package (19.76 ounces) Johnsonville Italian Sausage Links

1 cup onion, chopped

3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian recipe stewed tomatoes

1 can (16 ounces) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Spicy Sausage Queso.

1 can (15 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

3/4 cup black olives, sliced

1/4 cup cream sherry (optional)

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

1-1/2 teaspoons baking cocoa

1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper

Grill Italian sausage according to package directions; cut into half moon slices and set aside. In soup kettle, sautÈ onion, celery, sweet pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended.

Serving Suggestions: Sprinkle chili with grated Asiago, Romano or Parmesan cheese.

PigTails & Fries

6 servings ($1.69/each fried or $0.91/each baked)

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 20 to 25 minutes

1 package (13.5 to 16 ounces) Johnsonville smoked sausage (Polish, New Orleans, Smoked Turkey, BOLD Beef Hot Links or Beef Franks)

1 package (28 ounces) frozen curly french fries

Oil for deep-fat frying

Touchdowbn Italian Sausage Chili.

Cut sausage links in half lengthwise. Cut each half into three long strips.

To Fry: In deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375F. Fry french fries in batches for 3 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Place sausage strips in single layer in fryer basket. Fry for about 1 minute or until they curl. Drain on paper towels. Serve with fries.

To Bake: Spread fries in single layer on baking sheet. Bake at 450F for 17 to 20 minutes, turning once. At the same time, arrange sausage strips in single layer on separate baking sheet. Bake at 450F for 12 to 14 minutes or until they curl. Serve with fries.

Reuben Brat Hoagie

6 servings ($2.14/each)

Prep: 20 minutes

Grill/Bake: 35 minutes

1 package (19.76 ounces) Johnsonville Original Bratwurst

1 large onion, sliced

1 teaspoon butter

1/3 cup Thousand Island salad dressing

1/3 cup coarse ground mustard

1 loaf (1 pound) French bread

12 slices Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

1 can (14 ounces) sauerkraut, drained

Grill brats according to directions. When cool, cut into 1/4-inch bias slices. In skillet, sautè onion in butter until tender; set aside. In small bowl, combine salad dressing and mustard. Slice French bread lengthwise and transfer to baking sheet. Spread salad dressing mixture on inside of bread. Layer bottom of bread with six slices of cheese, brats, onions, sauerkraut and remaining cheese. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut hoagie and serve hot.

PigTails & Fries.

Serving Suggestions: To grill hoagie, assemble sandwich on a large sheet of heavy-duty foil. Wrap in foil. Grill, covered, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Spicy Sausage Queso

24 servings ($0.52/each)

Prep: 25 minutes

1 package. (16 ounces) Johnsonville All Natural Ground Italian Sausage

2 pounds Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 jar (16 ounces) chunky salsa

1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon anise seed, crushed

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Garlic toast

In skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain. Place cheese in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until melted, stirring every 2 minutes. Stir in salsa, seasonings and sausage. Microwave 2 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with garlic toast.

Serving Suggestions: Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicier dish. Serve garlic toast with diced tomatoes and chopped black olives. To serve in a bread bowl, cut off the top of a round loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-inch shell. Cube removed bread. Spoon cheese dip into bread shell. Serve with bread cubes.

Deli Bites

Keep it simple with crowd-pleasing Deli Bites. There’s big flavor (and no fillers) in these bite-sized delights. And, all you have to do is open the bag and serve – but you may want to stock up since they’re often the first to go!

Deli Bites – Keep it simple with crowd-pleasing Deli Bites. There’s big flavor (and no illers) in these bite-sized delights. And, all youy have to do is open the bag and serve … but you may want to stock up since they’re often the first to go!

Source: Johnsonville

Courtesy Family Features