• Roll the ground sausage into a ball and flatten with your hand between a sheet of parchment paper. The sausage patty should be very thin since it will plump up when cooking.
• Place the sausage patty in a nonstick or lightly greased skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes, or until the sausage is thoroughly cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Top with a slice of cheese, cover the skillet and cook for 15–30 seconds, or until the cheese begins to melt.
• While the sausage cooks, split the English muffin and toast until lightly golden.

Optional Egg:

• If you're making your Sausage McMuffin with egg, melt a pat of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Crack the egg into the skillet and use the edge of the eggshell to break the yolk so it spreads slightly. Cook for about 1 minute, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds, or until the egg reaches your desired doneness. Build the sandwich with the sausage patty, melted cheese and egg.