Quick & Easy Lazy Meal: Pre-cooked Sausage & Soup

Craving a hearty meal but short on time? This lazy microwave combo transforms pre-cooked sausage and canned soup into a cozy dish in under 5 minutes.

No pans, no prep, and barely any cleanup—just toss them in the microwave and reclaim your evening. Bonus points if you eat it straight from the bowl while binge-watching your favorite show.

We’ll walk you through microwave safety, ingredient swaps, and pro tips to turn this bare-minimum effort meal into something you’ll crave weekly.

What Are Pre-cooked Sausage and Canned Soup?

Picture this: My brother Joseph once showed up to a family picnic with nothing but pre-cooked smoked sausages and a can of bean soup. Grandpa laughed until we microwaved them at a rest stop. Ten minutes later, we had a steaming meal that silenced every snicker. That’s the magic of these two pantry heroes.

Defining Microwave-friendly Convenience Foods

Pre-cooked sausages are fully cooked during production—think smoked kielbasa or chicken apple links. Canned soup? Shelf-stable broth or cream-based meals in a tin. Both skip prep work and tolerate microwave abuse when hunger strikes.

Why They Work Together for Quick Meals

Savory sausage fats melt into broths, adding richness to otherwise simple soups. Canned soups bring seasoning and structure, while sausage adds protein heft. Together, they’re a 5-minute flavor alliance for lazy days.

Microwave Safety for Pre-cooked Sausage

Grandpa learned the hard way: microwaving a sausage without pricking it first leads to edible shrapnel. Let’s avoid culinary fireworks, shall we?

How to Check Packaging for Microwave Readiness

Flip the sausage package. Look for phrases like “microwave-safe film” or “reheat in tray.” No labels? Transfer links to a glass or ceramic dish. Plastic casings can warp or leach chemicals at high temps.

Avoiding Splitting or Explosions During Heating

Steam buildup is the enemy. Stab each sausage 2-3 times with a fork—like giving it tiny ventilation shafts. Cover with a damp paper towel to lock in moisture without pressure buildup. No one wants a meat fountain. For those looking to simplify this process, cooking sausage patties in the microwave is a quick and efficient alternative.

Optimal Microwave Times for Pre-cooked Varieties

Thicker sausages (andouille, bratwurst) need 60-90 seconds on high. Slimmer links (hot dogs, chicken sausages) take 30-45 seconds. Plant-based? Check after 25 seconds—they heat faster than meat. For those looking for a quick and convenient meal, microwave frozen plant-based sausages are an excellent option. These sausages can be ready in no time and provide a delicious alternative to traditional meat products.

• Beef/pork: 45-60 seconds
• Chicken/turkey: 30-45 seconds
• Plant-based: 25-35 seconds

With your sausages safely heated, let’s tackle the soup—because nobody wants a side of metal shards with their lunch. For a quick and budget-friendly option, consider adding cheap microwave hot dog canned soup to your meal. This combination makes for an easy and satisfying lunch that’s both tasty and rapid to prepare.

Microwave Safety for Canned Soup

My college roommate once tried microwaving unopened tomato soup “to save a bowl.” We spent hours scrubbing red splatter off the ceiling. Let’s avoid recreating that Jackson Pollock nightmare. It’s crucial to remember that not everything is safe to microwave, and some foods can lead to unexpected messes or even hazards. Before pressing that start button, consider which foods you might be microwaving wrong.

Transferring Soup to Microwave-safe Containers

Cans are steel or aluminum—metals that spark in microwaves. Always pour soup into glass, ceramic, or BPA-free plastic bowls. Wide, shallow containers heat more evenly than deep mugs, reducing cold spots.

Why Unopened Cans Are a Hazard

Sealed cans create pressure traps. As liquids heat, steam expands with nowhere to escape. The result? Explosions that launch soup (and can shrapnel) at 100+ mph. Your microwave—and dignity—won’t recover quickly. Such mishaps remind us why there’s a serious risk of things blowing up in microwaves when not used properly.

Adjusting Consistency After Microwaving

Canned soups thicken when heated. For broth-based types, stir in 1-2 tbsp water if too salty or gloopy. Creamy chowders? A splash of milk revives silkiness. Too thin? Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with cold water, then microwave 15 seconds more. A quick and easy microwave soup recipe can brighten up your meal with minimal effort. Just heat it up and enjoy a comforting bowl in minutes.

Also See: Easy Caprese Salad With Microwave Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients and Substitutes

This meal thrives on customization. My vegan niece swaps in Field Roast sausages and butternut squash soup for a plant-powered version that’s shockingly good. For those looking to streamline their cooking process, microwave butternut squash is a quick and delicious option. It retains flavor and nutrients while saving time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Pre-cooked Sausage Alternatives (Plant-based, Chicken, Etc.)

Beyond pork: try chicken apple, smoked turkey, or soy chorizo. Plant-based brands like Beyond Meat or Tofurky work seamlessly. Just ensure they’re pre-cooked—raw alternatives require stovetop cooking.

Canned Soup Varieties (Broth-based Vs. Creamy)

Broth soups (minestrone, chicken noodle) stay soupier when microwaved. Cream-based (clam chowder, broccoli cheddar) thicken faster—stir every 30 seconds. Pro tip: avoid condensed soups unless diluted first.

Add-ins to Enhance Flavor (Frozen Veggies, Herbs)

• Texture: Frozen peas, canned corn, or instant rice
• Brightness: Lemon zest, parsley, or chili flakes
• Umami: Grated Parmesan or soy sauce (½ tsp)

Also See: Camping Chili Cheese Fries: Microwave-assembled Recipe!

Step-by-step Instructions

This isn’t gourmet cooking—it’s survival mode cuisine. But these hacks prevent sad, soggy sausages or volcanic soup eruptions. When time is tight, knowing how to cook sausage in the microwave can be a game changer. It allows for quick meals without sacrificing taste or texture.

How to Microwave Pre-cooked Sausage Safely

1. Prick sausages 3x with a fork (prevents splitting)
2. Place on microwave-safe plate lined with paper towel
3. Cover with damp paper towel; heat 30-60 seconds

Heating Canned Soup Without Spills or Overheating

1. Pour soup into wide bowl (leave 1-inch space)
2. Loosely cover with microwave-safe lid or plate
3. Heat 2 minutes, stir, then 1-minute bursts until 165°F

Combining Sausage and Soup for a Complete Meal

Slice sausage into coins and drop into hot soup. Let sit 1 minute—residual heat infuses broth with meaty flavor. For crunch, microwave sausage separately 20 seconds longer until edges crisp. If you’re looking for a quick method, cooking smoked sausage in the microwave can also enhance its flavor. This technique allows for a speedy preparation while maintaining that delicious, smoky taste.

Now that you’ve nailed the basics, let’s talk upgrades—because even lazy meals deserve a glow-up sometimes.

Recipe Variations

My friend Dave once declared this meal “too basic” until I handed him a bottle of Cholula. Three shakes later, he was hooked. Tiny tweaks transform this lazy dish into something special. For a quick and simple meal, consider making a lazy microwave canned tuna casserole. It’s an easy way to enjoy a hearty dinner without much fuss.

Spicy Twist: Adding Hot Sauce or Peppers

Stir in ¼ tsp cayenne pepper or 5 dashes of Tabasco during microwaving. For fresh heat, top with pickled jalapeños or chili crisp. Warning: Dave’s “ghost pepper incident” taught us to taste-test before going nuclear.

Low-sodium Options: Swapping Broths or Brands

Choose “low-sodium” labeled soups (Amy’s or Pacific Foods). Swap broth bases—try unsalted chicken stock with thyme. Pre-cooked chicken sausage averages 300mg less sodium per link than smoked pork varieties.

Texture Upgrades: Croutons or Crispy Sausage Bits

Microwave sausage coins 20 seconds extra on parchment paper for crispy edges. Crush store-bought croutons over creamy soups. Our midnight hack? Tortilla chips double as salty spoons when making lazy microwave pre-cooked sausage and canned soup dishes.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

I once froze this soup-sausage combo in a margarine tub. Thawed, it resembled a science experiment. Learn from my tragedy with these storage protocols.

Container Types for Refrigeration

Use glass jars with silicone lids or BPA-free plastic (Rubbermaid Brilliance). Avoid metal tins—they react with acidic tomato-based soups. Leave ½ inch space for expansion.

Reviving Soup Without Drying Out Sausage

Reheat soup 90 seconds first. Add sausage slices, cover with a wet paper towel, then zap 30 seconds. The steam refreshes meat while preventing rubbery textures. Unlike other toppings that can wilt when reheated, sausage benefits from this gentle method when added to canned soup.

Freezing Considerations for Meal Prep

Broth-based soups freeze best (3 months). Creamy chowders separate when thawed—avoid freezing. Pre-cooked sausage stays edible frozen but loses snap; slice before freezing to reduce ice crystal formation.

Even with perfect storage, mishaps happen. Let’s troubleshoot common disasters before they derail your lazy dinner plans.

Now It’s Your Turn to Try!

We’ve covered everything from microwave safety to flavor upgrades for your lazy sausage and canned soup combo. Whether you’re craving a creamy chowder with chicken sausage or a spicy minestrone with plant-based links, this meal adapts to your taste.

Grab your favorite pre-cooked protein and canned soup—just remember to transfer that soup to a microwave-safe bowl first! Let us know which creative twist you tried by tagging us CanYouMicrowaveWiki. Happy microwaving!