Delicious easy homemade sausage rolls, using store-bought puff pastry and sausages. Make them mini for appetizers or big for a meal!
Like most people, I have indulged in one or 10 mini sized sausage rolls from the appetizer tray before. You really can't just eat one! So needless to say, I loved the idea of making them easily at home.
These easy homemade sausage rolls do double duty. They can be cut into small pieces for appetizers, or make them larger and enjoy them for a holiday lunch or dinner.
I first encountered the larger version of sausage rolls at a local meat shop, who regularly makes them up and has them on offer. It was a revelation for a sausage roll lover. I mean why eat 10 little ones when you can enjoy one large one for a meal :)
These sausage rolls are also perfect for making ahead and freezing. You can freeze either before baking or after. So make a big batch and you'll always have sausage rolls appetizers or a sausage roll for meal handy.
Cook's Notes
These easy sausage rolls are made easy with store-bought puff pastry. I love the pre-rolled, all-butter puff pastry. One roll will make 4 large sausage rolls or 16-20 appetizer size sausage rolls. Since most packages of store-bought puff pastry comes with two rolls, why not make a large batch and freeze them.
For the sausage, start with a store-bought pure pork sausage. You'll then just remove the sausage meat from the casing by slicing down the side and sliding it off. You can venture a bit into the flavour/seasoned area too, if you like. A store I shop at sells maple, cranberry etc. pork sausages, that would be nice. I've also use English Banger sausages.
If starting with a pure pork, unflavoured sausage, you may wish to increase the herb seasoning just slightly. I find that the flavoured or banger-type sausages tend to have more seasoning from the start, so don't need quite as much.
The bread crumb addition isn't intended as "filler", but rather to keep the fat from the sausage in the sausage roll and preventing it from running out. If you don't have dried bread crumbs, simply run a piece of bread through the food processor (stale bread or end crust piece works best for this).
Top Tip! These sausage rolls freeze beautifully! I find they are really best if frozen before baking. You can bake them from frozen, so it's just so handy and the pastry will be at it's best that way. Don't forget the egg wash before baking and do allow a few extra minutes of baking time. If you've baked them up, and you have left-overs, reheat in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes from the refrigerator. You can also freeze cooked sausage rolls, then thaw and re-heat this way.
If you can, fresh herbs make a nice difference in the sausage filling vs. dried, though dried will always work, too.
If you have an instant read thermometer, it never hurts to check the internal temperature of the large rolls. You want it to be at least 165F. When I tested these after 35 minutes in the oven (starting from room temperature), they registered 205F. Keep in mind that starting from cold or frozen will affect the cooking time to done.
Recipe
Easy Homemade Sausage Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 rolls all-butter puff pastry, thawed
For sausage filling:
- 800 g pure pork sausages, removed from casing, or loose sausage
- 1 tsp fresh sage, diced
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp dried bread crumbs, plain or seasoned
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup water
For assembling:
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
For glazing:
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove casing from sausages (cut a slice down the side) and discard. Add loose sausage to a medium bowl. Add herbs and bread crumbs. Add water and using your hands, blend together until the water seems absorbed in the mixture. Roughly form into a round and score round into 8 wedges. Set aside.
- Starting with one roll of thawed puff pastry (approx 10x10-inches), use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut into 4 pieces approximately 5x5-inches). Brush a 1-inch-ish strip3 of Dijon mustard down the centre of each square. Scoop out 1/8 of the sausage mixture and form into a log 5 inches long (you want the sausage log to extend right to the end of the pastry). Place log on top of Dijon mustard. Brush the left side of the square with egg wash, then gently fold the right side over the sausage to meet the egg brushed edge and press to seal (or use a fork). Place on prepared baking sheet, with the sealed edge facing in towards the pan (fat side on the outside). This helps the filled side brown all the way around.
- Repeat with remaining 3 squares, then repeat it all with the second sheet of puff pastry, for a total of 8 sausage rolls.
- *If making to freeze, place on baking sheet and place in freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag.
- Brush all over the pastry with egg wash. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until centre registers at last 160F, when tested with a meat thermometer. *If tops seem to be well browned before that, loosely cover with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Serve warm with additional mustard.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
N says
Hi Jennifer, what can we do to prevent the sausages from puffing up and breaking open the puff pastry top while baking? I tried twice with skinless chicken sausages and this happened both times.
Jennifer says
I have never had that happen, but I have never used chicken sausages (I always use pork sausage). So I'm guessing that is the issue. Perhaps there is to much moisture in them and they are causing too much steam and busting through the pastry. If you want to keep using chicken sausage, I think I might try pre-cooking it slightly in a frying pan, to cook off some of the liquid, before adding to the sausage roll.
Samantha says
Absolutely amazing! So glad I found this recipe.
Jennifer says
So happy you enjoyed them, Samantha :) Thanks!
Anne Fisher says
I Sometimes add dates or grated apple or grated carrot brings in more texture & adds a fruity flavour too! Apricots & juice are great if using chicken sausages.
Jennifer says
Hi Anne and thanks for sharing these ideas! It sounds like a lovely way to change up sausage rolls :)
Darlene says
I make these all the time! They are so easy and I make it just a little easier by using hot Italian sausage instead of just pork! I make a tray full to bake right away and one to freeze for later. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Jennifer says
Glad you are enjoying them, Darlene :) Thanks!
Susan Zutautas says
I have always wanted to make homemade sausage rolls and after seeing your recipe I'll be making them tomorrow night. Can't wait to taste them. Merry Christmas!
Jennifer says
Enjoy Susan and Merry Christmas to you, as well :)
Lori Russell says
I made the sausage rolls. They are delicious. I have frozen the rest (6). I gave 3 to my son and I have 3 left for another dinner for this week. This will become a staple for me. I couldn’t believe how good they tasted.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Lori :) I absolutely love having these in the freezer. So nice to have on hand for an easy dinner. A bit of salad, a warm sausage roll and a big dollop of mustard is just so satisfying!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
My husband would absolutely LOVE these Jennifer, and he wouldn't feel one bit guilty about sharing either! They look delicious!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Mary Ann :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
There's a local place that makes these and I love them....a real treat! Next time, I'm gonna make yours! They look absolutely delicious, Jennifer! Merry Christmas :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Dawn and Merry Christmas to you, as well :)
Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert says
I love that you can freeze these Jennifer. This time of year it's always a bonus to have something at the ready for pop-in guests or one last treat before the diet begins. I wish you a very Merry Christmas Jennifer. I hope you enjoy wonderful, memorable moments with family and friends. And I hope you have a very happy New Year! Best wishes :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tricia :)
Milena says
I identify with your '1 or 10 mini rolls" statement, definitely how it goes:) Love the idea for large sausage rolls, especially if you have them ready in the freezer. Perfect for dinner on busy weeknights. You have inspired me to make a couple of batches and freeze them:) They look so appetizing!
Jennifer says
Lol! Yes, I suspected I wasn't the only one with a sausage roll indulgence in my past :) Thanks so much, Milena :)