Regardless of whether you use ground beef, turky or a meat substitute is used, you will be surprised over how much it tastes like Italian sausage.
Ingredients:
1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped 1# of lean ground beef, turkey or meat substitute ¾ t fennel 1T Montreal Style seasoning salt, pepper, garlic and mild chili pepper seasoning to taste
Directions:
Season meat according to your families taste, but remember, the fennel produces the Italian sausage flavor ...but, I hope you won't omit the garlic or mild chili pepper either! Regardless of what meat is used, you will be surprised over how much it tastes like Italian sausage.
In a large saucepan cook chopped onions until tender over medium heat and then add to meat and combine well. Cook mixture until lightly browned as a loose crumble and drain excess liquid and fat (for casseroles or spaghetti sauce recipes).
Or if you're looking for that "sausage" look, then form a log or rope of meat on cheesecloth and then roll it up and tie the ends with string place in boiling water for 10 - 15 minutes. Let it cool and carefully unwrap the "sausage".