How to cook sausage casserole in a slow cooker
If you’re looking for a comforting and delicious meal that requires minimal effort, then cooking a sausage casserole in a slow cooker is the perfect solution. This classic dish is not only easy to prepare, but it also delivers mouthwatering flavors that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
Why a slow cooker?
The slow cooker is a versatile kitchen gadget that allows you to create flavorful and tender dishes with minimal hands-on time. It’s ideal for busy individuals and families who want to enjoy a homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. By cooking the sausage casserole in a slow cooker, you can set it in the morning and come home to a piping hot and delicious dinner in the evening.
Gather the ingredients
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. You will need sausages, onions, bell peppers, garlic, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, chicken broth, herbs, and spices. Feel free to customize the recipe to your taste by adding additional vegetables or adjusting the seasoning.
Step-by-step guide to cooking a delicious sausage casserole in a slow cooker
A sausage casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for those busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With the help of a slow cooker, you can effortlessly cook a delicious sausage casserole that is packed with flavors. Let’s get started!
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 pounds of sausages
– 1 onion, sliced
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, sliced
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 1 can of diced tomatoes
– 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 bay leaf
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the sausages on all sides. Once browned, transfer them to a plate.
2. In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they start to soften.
3. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Place the browned sausages on top of the vegetables.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Mix well and pour this mixture over the sausages and vegetables in the slow cooker.
5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The sausages should be fully cooked and the flavors nicely blended together.
6. Once cooked, remove the bay leaf and serve the sausage casserole hot. You can enjoy it on its own or with a side of mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
7. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can easily reheat the casserole in the microwave or on the stovetop.
That’s it! Now you have a delicious sausage casserole that has been slowly cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Enjoy!
Preparing the ingredients for your sausage casserole
Before you start cooking your sausage casserole in a slow cooker, it is important to make sure you have all the ingredients ready. Here’s what you’ll need:
Sausages
Choose your favorite type of sausages for this recipe. Whether it’s classic pork, spicy chorizo, or vegetarian sausages, make sure they are of good quality. You’ll need about 8 sausages for this casserole.
Vegetables
This recipe calls for a variety of vegetables to add flavor and texture to your casserole. You will need:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
Feel free to add any additional vegetables you like, such as mushrooms or peas.
Canned tomatoes and stock
To create the base for your casserole, you will need:
- 1 can (400g) of chopped tomatoes
- 250ml of vegetable or chicken stock
These ingredients will provide the liquid and tangy flavor to your casserole.
Note:
If you prefer a richer and more concentrated flavor, you can use a can of tomato puree instead of chopped tomatoes. Additionally, you can use beef stock instead of vegetable or chicken stock for a deeper flavor.
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to prepare your slow cooker and start cooking your delicious sausage casserole. Let’s move on to the next step!
Cooking your sausage casserole in a slow cooker
Sausage casserole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be easily cooked in a slow cooker. The slow cooker allows all the flavors to meld together and the sausages to become tender and succulent. Here are the simple steps to cook your sausage casserole in a slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 6 sausages (whatever variety you prefer)
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your slow cooker on low or high heat, depending on your preferred cooking time.
- In a large frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat and brown the sausages evenly. Remove the sausages from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté until they begin to soften.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture into the preheated slow cooker. Nestle the browned sausages into the mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Once the cooking time is up, remove the lid and give the casserole a stir. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the delicious sausage casserole on its own or with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Using a slow cooker to cook your sausage casserole allows you to easily prepare and forget about the dish for a few hours. The low and slow cooking process ensures that the sausages are cooked through and the flavors are deeply infused. Enjoy the comforting taste of a hearty sausage casserole, effortlessly cooked in your slow cooker!