Description
A hearty and comforting Crockpot Sausage Casserole featuring tender sausages, potatoes, carrots, and onions simmered in a flavorful tomato and herb sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal that delivers rich, satisfying flavors with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb (450g) sausages (pork, chicken, or smoked)
Vegetables
- 1.5 lbs (700g) potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 can (14.5 oz) chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausages: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the sausages on all sides until they develop a golden crust, about 5-7 minutes. This step enhances the flavor and texture of the sausages.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the sausages are browning, peel and dice the potatoes, chop the carrots, onion, and mince the garlic cloves to prepare them for layering in the crockpot.
- Layer the Crockpot: Place the diced potatoes, chopped carrots, onion, and minced garlic evenly at the bottom of the crockpot, creating a base layer for the casserole.
- Add Sausages: Place the browned sausages on top of the layered vegetables in the crockpot.
- Make Tomato Mixture: In a bowl, combine the canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all flavors.
- Pour Sauce Over Ingredients: Pour the tomato and herb mixture evenly over the sausages and vegetables in the crockpot to ensure everything is coated and will cook in the flavorful sauce.
- Cook the Casserole: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and sausages are fully cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Gently stir the casserole to combine before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Using different types of sausages (pork, chicken, smoked) will slightly alter the flavor, so choose based on preference.
- For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of broth or cook on HIGH for less time.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried herbs if available, using approximately three times the amount.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before; just refrigerate before cooking and adjust cooking time accordingly.
