Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
A Flavorful Journey with Sweet and Sour Notes
Italian Sausage Agrodolce takes you on a flavorful journey, bringing the classic sweet and sour elements of Italian cuisine right to your table. Agrodolce, meaning “sour-sweet” in Italian, is the star of this dish, perfectly balancing the sweetness of sugar and golden raisins with the tangy brightness of red wine vinegar and tomatoes. When paired with juicy Italian pork sausages that melt in your mouth, it’s a combination that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful.
Rich, Savory Sausage Meets Vibrant Agrodolce Sauce
The real magic of this recipe lies in the contrast between the rich, savory sausage and the vibrant agrodolce sauce. As the sausages brown, they develop a deep, savory flavor that complements the sauce’s sweet and tangy base. The slow-cooked cabbage and red onions soak up all of these flavors, becoming tender and deliciously infused with the sweet-acidic richness of the sauce.
Sweet Raisins, Subtle Heat, and Crunchy Pine Nuts
This dish is full of delightful surprises. The raisins add a sweet burst that pairs beautifully with the savory sausage, while the crushed red pepper provides a subtle heat, ensuring every bite has an exciting layer of flavor. To top it off, the pine nuts offer a crunchy garnish that adds both texture and a slightly nutty flavor, bringing all the elements together in perfect harmony.
Simple Preparation with Bold Results
For a dish that boasts such complex flavors, Italian Sausage Agrodolce is surprisingly easy to prepare. With the slow cooker doing most of the work, you can enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal without much effort. If you’re a fan of meal prep, you’ll love how easy it is to get ahead—the cabbage and onions can be prepped a day in advance, so you only need to brown the sausage and combine everything in the cooker.
Best Served Over Rice for a Comforting Meal
While this dish is delightful on its own, it’s best served over rice. The rice absorbs the flavorful sauce, adding another comforting element to the meal. Whether you’re serving it up for a weeknight family dinner or a cozy meal with friends, Italian Sausage Agrodolce delivers rich, layered flavors with minimal effort—an ideal choice for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For slow cooker; phase 1:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds Italian pork sausage
1/2 head cabbage (medium head), cored, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces (about 10 cups)
2 each red onions, peeled, 1/2-inch dice (about 3 cups)(see TIPS)
Combine for slow cooker; phase 2:
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Garnish:
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (for garnish)
Instructions:
Heat oil in skillet on MEDIUM-HIGH until oil faintly smokes.
Brown sausage 4-5 min; set aside
Layer green cabbage and onions in slow cooker.
Combine raisins, tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed red pepper, red wine vinegar, and sugar in mixing bowl. Pour atop mixture in slow cooker. Place sausage on top of all.
Set cooker to HIGH, 4-6 hours or LOW 8-10 hours.
Arrange on individual plates; garnish with pine nuts.
TIP: Cuisinart or mandolin works well for slicing cabbage.
MAKE AHEAD: Cabbage and onion can be cut one day ahead. Prepare ahead by layering all except
for sausage. Brown and top mixture with sausage just before starting cooker.
SERVING SUGGESTION: It is best served over rice.