Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe

Silky, Soul-Warming Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe for Comfort

Comfort comes alive with this hearty sausage gravy that promises pure Southern-style satisfaction.

Breakfast enthusiasts will savor every rich, creamy bite of this classic gravy recipe.

The aroma of sizzling sausage creates an irresistible invitation to the kitchen.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with bold, peppery notes that dance across your palate.

Each spoonful carries the warmth of traditional home cooking that feels like a warm embrace.

Simple ingredients transform into a luxurious sauce that elevates any morning meal.

You won’t be able to resist this soul-warming gravy that turns ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

What You Need for Sausage Gravy

For Meat Base:
  • Ground Pork Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and creates the foundation for the gravy, choose fresh breakfast-style sausage with higher fat content for better texture.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the gravy and creates a smooth roux, select all-purpose flour for consistent results.
For Liquid and Creaminess:
  • Whole Milk: Delivers creamy consistency and helps develop gravy's silky texture, use full-fat milk for maximum richness.
For Seasoning:
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper: Enhance depth of flavor, creating a balanced and aromatic gravy, select freshly ground spices for maximum taste intensity.
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds bright color and subtle herbal note as optional garnish, choose vibrant green leaves without wilting.

Tools to Make Sausage Gravy Shine

  • Large skillet: Perfect for browning sausage and creating creamy gravy.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for breaking up sausage and stirring mixture.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings.
  • Measuring cup: Needed for pouring milk precisely.
  • Cutting board: Optional for chopping fresh parsley garnish.

How to Cook Sausage Gravy from Scratch

  • Brown the Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium flame and crumble the sausage, cooking until golden and fully done. Leave a touch of natural grease in the pan for extra flavor.

  • Create the Base

Dust flour over the cooked sausage, stirring thoroughly to coat each morsel. Let it sizzle for a minute to eliminate any raw flour taste and develop a rich foundation.

  • Pour and Blend the Liquid

Gradually stream milk into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent unwanted lumps. The mixture will start transforming into a creamy sauce.

  • Season and Thicken

Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Keep stirring as the gravy gradually becomes more substantial and velvety, about 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as your palate desires.

  • Plate and Enjoy

Ladle the luscious sausage gravy over warm, fluffy biscuits. For an elegant touch, garnish with fresh chopped herbs if you’re feeling fancy. Serve piping hot and savor immediately.

Tips and Swaps for Sausage Gravy Magic

  • Perfect Sausage Gravy Tricks & Twists
  • Texture Magic: Whisk milk gradually and steadily to ensure a silky-smooth gravy without annoying lumps. Keep stirring constantly for the best creamy consistency.
  • Flavor Boost: Experiment with different sausage types like spicy Italian, sage-flavored, or maple-infused breakfast sausage to add unique taste profiles to your gravy.
  • Low-Fat Option: Use lean turkey sausage and skim milk for a lighter version without sacrificing rich flavor. Replace some milk with low-sodium chicken broth to maintain moisture.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Use certified gluten-free sausage and carefully check all ingredient labels.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Gravy can be prepared ahead and stored in refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently, adding splash of milk if needed to restore original creamy texture.

How to Serve Up Sausage Gravy Right

  • Biscuit Breakfast Bliss: Pair the sausage gravy with warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits straight from the oven for a classic Southern breakfast experience.
  • Morning Comfort Combo: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and hash browns to create a hearty morning meal that satisfies serious hunger.
  • Unexpected Twist: Drizzle the gravy over crispy chicken fried steak or use as a dipping sauce for homemade potato wedges for a creative culinary adventure.
  • Late-Night Crowd Pleaser: Transform this gravy into a midnight snack by topping toasted bread or creating an impromptu open-faced sandwich for hungry night owls.

Planning and Saving Leftovers of Sausage Gravy

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover sausage gravy in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors and maintain its delicious flavor.
  • Quick Reheat Technique: Warm gravy in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk to restore smooth consistency if it becomes too thick during storage. Microwave works in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst.
  • Freezer Friendly Approach: Transfer cooled gravy to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and taste.
  • Smart Portion Planning: Consider making extra batches for future meals. Divide into individual serving sizes for easy weekday breakfast prep. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and minimize food waste.
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Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe

Creamy Sausage Gravy Recipe


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4.7 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty southern sausage gravy brings comfort to breakfast tables across America. Creamy, rich sauce paired with fluffy biscuits delivers a satisfying morning meal you will savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 3 tbsps unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) whole milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Sausage Rendering: Crumble sausage into a spacious skillet over medium heat, cooking until achieving a golden-brown exterior and complete internal doneness.
  2. Flour Coating: Retain the rendered fat in the skillet and dust the cooked sausage with flour, stirring meticulously to ensure uniform coverage, then toast for two minutes to eliminate raw flour’s sharp flavor.
  3. Gravy Development: Gradually pour milk into the skillet, whisking consistently to prevent lumps while integrating garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper into the mixture.
  4. Sauce Refinement: Simmer the gravy, stirring continuously for 5-7 minutes until it transforms into a luxurious, creamy consistency, then adjust seasoning with strategic pinches of salt or pepper to balance the flavor profile.
  5. Serving Presentation: Pour the piping hot sausage gravy generously over split biscuits, ensuring complete coverage, and optionally garnish with finely chopped parsley for a vibrant visual and flavor enhancement before serving immediately.

Notes

  • Control Fat Content: Choose leaner sausage varieties or partially drain excess fat to reduce overall greasiness while maintaining rich flavor.
  • Prevent Lumpy Texture: Whisk milk slowly and consistently, ensuring smooth integration and avoiding clumpy gravy consistency.
  • Adjust Seasoning Gradually: Start with smaller amounts of spices, tasting and incrementally adding to achieve balanced flavor without overwhelming saltiness.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, maintaining similar creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 372
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 508 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 11 g
  • Cholesterol: 72 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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