Effortless Crockpot Sausage Casserole Recipe for Cozy Meals

Crafting a hearty crockpot sausage casserole promises comfort and warmth on chilly evenings.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with delightful anticipation.

Tender chunks of sausage meld perfectly with soft potatoes and vibrant vegetables.

Minimal prep work means maximum flavor without complicated cooking techniques.

Each bite offers a rich, satisfying experience that feels like a culinary hug.

Layers of ingredients slowly simmer into a mouthwatering meal that transforms simple components into something spectacular.

Let’s turn this simple recipe into your new favorite weeknight dinner companion.

What Makes Crockpot Sausage Casserole So Satisfying

• Slow-Cooked Flavor Explosion: Gentle crockpot cooking allows incredible depth of flavor to develop, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, mouthwatering meal that tastes like it simmered all day.
• Minimal Active Cooking: Minimal hands-on preparation means you can start the dish and walk away, perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious dinner without constant monitoring.
• Crowd-Pleasing Protein Power: Packed with hearty sausage and bacon, this dish delivers satisfying protein that appeals to meat lovers and provides substantial nutrition for the whole family.

Ingredients List for Crockpot Sausage Casserole

• Ground Sausage: Rich protein source that provides deep, savory flavor to the casserole.
• Bacon: Adds smoky depth and enhances the overall meaty profile of the dish.

• Onions, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms: Fresh vegetables that create a robust and aromatic base for the casserole.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp, pungent flavor that complements the meaty ingredients.

• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and builds a flavorful foundation for the casserole.
• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces acidity and helps create a rich, saucy texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and provides a smooth consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety finish to the dish.

• Dried Thyme, Rosemary: Aromatic herbs that contribute earthy and complex flavor notes.
• Paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and mild smoky undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.

Easy Steps to Make Crockpot Sausage Casserole

Step 1: Brown Meaty Goodness

Heat a large skillet over medium-high and sizzle ground sausage and chopped bacon until golden and crispy. The meat should develop delicious caramelized edges that promise deep flavor. Transfer the browned meat into the crockpot, leaving behind those magical fat drippings.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Medley

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Chopped bell peppers
• Sliced mushrooms

Drizzle with olive oil and cook until vegetables become soft and slightly caramelized, releasing their sweet aromatics.

Step 3: Create Flavor Foundation

Dust the sautéed vegetables with flour, stirring to coat. Cook for a couple minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and create a thickening base for your sauce.

Step 4: Build Liquid Layer

Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the pan’s bottom, incorporating maximum flavor into your sauce.

Step 5: Season with Excitement

• Dried thyme
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together, ensuring spices are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Combine and Slow Cook

Transfer the entire vegetable and sauce mixture into the crockpot with the browned meats. Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to dance and develop complexity.

Step 7: Finish with Creamy Luxury

During the final 30 minutes, stir in heavy cream to transform the dish into a velvety, rich masterpiece.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming casserole over rice, pasta, or alongside crusty bread. Garnish with fresh herbs for a pop of color and extra flavor. Dive into comfort in every delicious bite.

Best Tips for Crockpot Sausage Casserole Success

• Boost Meat Flavor: Sear sausage and bacon before adding to crockpot to lock in rich, deep flavors and create a delicious golden-brown exterior.
• Veggie Caramelization Trick: Sauté vegetables in the same skillet used for meat to capture all the delicious browned bits and enhance overall dish complexity.
• Flour Power: Coat vegetables with flour before adding liquid to create a thicker, more luxurious sauce and eliminate raw flour taste.
• Cream Addition Timing: Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, velvety texture.
• Low and Slow Magic: Cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours to allow ingredients to develop deep, harmonious flavors and tenderize the meats.

Flavorful Twists on Crockpot Sausage Casserole

• Spicy Mediterranean Sausage Stew: Replace ground sausage with spicy chorizo and add kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a splash of red wine for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Smoky Mountain Hunters Casserole: Use venison sausage instead of ground sausage, incorporate wild mushrooms, and add smoked paprika for a robust, wilderness-inspired dish.
• Vegetarian Harvest Pot: Swap meats with plant-based sausage crumbles, add extra root vegetables like parsnips and carrots, and use vegetable broth for a hearty vegetarian version.
• Italian Herb Garden Casserole: Switch to Italian sausage, include fresh basil and oregano, mix in cannellini beans, and finish with grated parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian touch.

What to Serve with Crockpot Sausage Casserole

• Craft a Wine-Sausage Symphony: Select a robust red wine like Syrah or Zinfandel to complement the hearty meat flavors, enhancing the dish's rich, spicy undertones with its bold character.
• Bread Pairing Power: Choose a rustic sourdough or crusty artisan bread to soak up the creamy sauce, providing a delightful textural contrast and capturing every delicious drop of the casserole.
• Fresh Herb Freshness: Sprinkle chopped parsley, chives, or fresh thyme on top to add a bright, green note that cuts through the richness and provides a light, aromatic finish to the dish.

Keep Crockpot Sausage Casserole Fresh and Cozy

• Transfer cooled casserole into airtight containers, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and completely sealed to maintain freshness.
• Package casserole in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with date and contents, then freeze for maximum 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed casserole in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat in preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent moisture loss.

Crockpot Sausage Casserole FAQs Made Simple

• Can I use different types of sausage in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the ground sausage with Italian sausage, chorizo, or turkey sausage to change the flavor profile and meet dietary preferences.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the recipe uses flour to thicken the sauce. To make it gluten-free, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend.

• Can I make this recipe without a crockpot?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the stovetop or oven. Use a large Dutch oven, follow the same cooking steps, and simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours until meat is tender.

• How can I make this dish spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or use a spicy sausage variety to increase the heat level.

Crockpot Sausage Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Crockpot Sausage Casserole brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its rich blend of savory sausages and tender vegetables. Slow-cooked perfection awaits you in this satisfying one-pot wonder that promises delicious simplicity and maximum flavor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1/2 lb bacon, chopped

Vegetables:

• 2 medium onions, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

Pantry and Seasonings:

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried rosemary
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sear ground sausage and chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Transfer the meat to the crockpot, leaving behind rendered fat in the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions, minced garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms in olive oil until vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
5. Pour chicken broth and diced tomatoes into the skillet, stirring to deglaze and incorporate all browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Add dried thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the vegetable mixture, stirring to combine thoroughly.
7. Transfer the entire vegetable mixture to the crockpot with the seared meats.
8. Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
9. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in heavy cream to create a rich, velvety sauce.
10. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired, over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.

Notes

• Browning meat beforehand intensifies flavor profiles, creating deeper, more complex taste sensations in the final dish.
• Deglazing skillet with broth captures all caramelized bits, ensuring maximum flavor transfer into the casserole.
• Allowing slow cooker to simmer for extended hours breaks down proteins, resulting in incredibly tender meat textures.
• Heavy cream addition near end prevents curdling and maintains smooth, luxurious sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg