Ingredients
1/2 lb. pork sausage
1.5 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
Add the pork sausage to a skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it into chunks as you stir, until it is cooked through. Do not drain the fat from the skillet.
Add the butter and flour to the skillet with the pork. Continue to stir and cook for about 2 minutes more.
Whisk the milk into the skillet, making sure to dissolve all the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet as you whisk. Continue to stir and cook until the milk begins to simmer lightly, at which point it will thicken into a nice gravy (5 minutes).
Season the gravy with red pepper, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Serve over biscuits or your favorite starchy breakfast item.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Use a full-fat pork breakfast sausage for the richest flavor — the rendered fat from the sausage acts as part of the roux base, so do not drain the skillet after cooking.
- Whole milk is essential here; lower-fat milks will produce a thinner, less creamy gravy that won't have the same luscious body.
- Cooking the butter and flour together for a full 2 minutes after adding them removes the raw flour taste and gives the gravy a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Freshly cracked black pepper is key to authentic sausage gravy — use it generously, as it provides the signature mild heat that balances the richness of the cream sauce.
- The crushed red pepper flakes are optional but highly recommended for a subtle kick that cuts through the fat and brightens the overall flavor profile.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides a substantial dose of protein from both the pork sausage and whole milk, helping to keep you full and energized throughout the morning.
- Whole milk contributes meaningful amounts of calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone health in every hearty serving.
- Pork sausage is a source of B vitamins, particularly B12 and B3 (niacin), which play important roles in energy metabolism and nervous system function.
- This dish is relatively high in saturated fat and sodium, so those monitoring cardiovascular health may want to enjoy it as an occasional treat and pair it with fresh fruit or vegetables.
- Using a moderate portion size and serving over a whole-grain biscuit can help balance the nutritional profile of this indulgent breakfast classic.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories370
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat28 g72 g38.89%
- Saturated Fat12 g20 g60%
- Trans Fat0.2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat3.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat11.5 g
- Cholesterol75 mg300 mg25%
- Sodium620 mg2300 mg26.96%
- Total Carbohydrate12 g275 g4.36%
- Dietary Fiber0.3 g28 g1.07%
- Total Sugars6 g
- Added Sugars0 g50 g0%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein17 g50 g34%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)54 mcg20 mcg270%
- Calcium165 mg1300 mg12.69%
- Iron1.1 mg18 mg6.11%
- Potassium380 mg4700 mg8.09%
- Vitamin A320 mcg900 mcg35.56%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)0.5 mg90 mg0.56%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)0.6 mg15 mg4%
- Vitamin K3 mcg120 mcg2.5%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.25 mg1.3 mg19.23%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.2 mg16 mg26.25%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.28 mg1.7 mg16.47%
- Folate14 mcg400 mcg3.5%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.9 mcg2.4 mcg37.5%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.8 mg5 mg16%
- Choline72 mg550 mg13.09%
- Phosphorus210 mg1250 mg16.8%
- Iodine28 mcg150 mcg18.67%
- Magnesium22 mg420 mg5.24%
- Zinc1.8 mg11 mg16.36%
- Selenium18 mcg55 mcg32.73%
- Copper0.07 mg0.9 mg7.78%
- Manganese0.15 mg2.3 mg6.52%
- Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
- Molybdenum6 mcg45 mcg13.33%
- Chloride410 mg2300 mg17.83%
