Description
This Crockpot Sausage Casserole is a hearty and comforting slow cooker meal featuring juicy pork sausages simmered with a medley of vegetables, cannellini beans, and smoky spices. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it delivers rich flavors and tender textures with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds pork sausages
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Spices and Herbs
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the sausages: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pork sausages and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides. Transfer the browned sausages to the crockpot.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened. Add these to the crockpot.
- Add vegetables to crockpot: To the crockpot, add sliced carrots, celery, and chopped red bell pepper along with the sausages and sautéed aromatics.
- Mix in tomatoes and liquids: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, chicken or beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce thoroughly ensuring everything is blended well.
- Season the casserole: Add smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good mix to distribute the spices evenly.
- Cook the casserole: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6–7 hours, or on high for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Add the beans: About 30 minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans so they heat through without losing their texture.
- Finalize and serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish the casserole with freshly chopped parsley to finish.
Notes
- This casserole pairs perfectly with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes for a filling meal.
- Use chicken or turkey sausages as a lighter alternative to pork sausages.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.
- To make gluten-free, ensure sausages and Worcestershire sauce are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: British, European-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
