Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
Optional: season ground pork with salt, pepper, crush red pepper flakes, and a pinch of dried sage OR your favorite breakfast seasoning. Allow seasoned pork to rest for at least an hour and up to 24 hours in the fridge. (If you've got "breakfast sausage" or "pork sausage", it's likely already seasoned).
Brown sausage in a large saucepan. Use a paper towel to blot out most of the grease from the pan or drain a bit of fat, but make sure to keep some in the pan!
Add flour and coat cooked pork. Melt butter in pan, then add half & half. Cook on medium-low, stirring often, for several minutes until thickened.
Add thyme, rosemary, red pepper flakes and black pepper.