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–+ servings
Sausage crostini (sourdough bread with cooked sausage and cheese mixture) cut in half on a wooden cutting board on a marble countertop with more crostinis in the back.

Italian Sausage Crostini Recipe with Fennel Seed

Allie Hagerty
These sausage crostini are topped with Italian sausage, fennel seeds, and melted mozzarella on crisp sourdough. A simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer ready in just 30 minutes.
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch
Servings 16 crostini halves

Equipment

  • measuring spoons
  • measuring spoons
  • chef's knife
  • rimmed baking sheet
  • mixing bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound chicken sausage casings removed (you can also use pork sausage, I just prefer chicken)
  • 6 ounces mozarella cheese, shredded
  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fennel seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Crumble the sausage in a large bowl before mixing in the cheese, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  • Spread the sausage mixture on each slice of sourdough bread. Then, place the bread slices on your baking sheet. Bake the crostini for 15 minutes, then broil for 3 minutes. Watch carefully while you broil - you don't want to burn the crostini. You just want to brown the tops until they are golden.
  • If serving as an appteizer, cut in halves. Serve immediately, while hot!

Notes

  • Expert Tips from My Kitchen

    • Choose quality sausage – Go for high-quality Italian sausage with balanced spices. I prefer chicken sausage, but pork works just as well.
    • Season thoughtfully – Fennel, salt, and pepper add bold flavor—don’t skip them.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Wine pairing – A medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese pairs beautifully. For a white option, try Pinot Grigio.
    • Make it a meal – Serve with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette.
    • Antipasto platter – Add crostini to a spread of cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables.

    Storage and Reheating Instructions

    • Storage – Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    • Reheating – Warm in a 350°Fahrenheit (175°Celsius) oven for 5–8 minutes to keep the bread crisp. Avoid the microwave—it makes the bread soggy.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 178kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 586mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 173IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 2mg
Keyword appetizer, crostini, Italian, sausage, Snacks
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