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Looking for an easy midweek meal? Don’t have time but still want a comforting dinner? This super easy slow cooker sausage casserole is for you! With just 15 minutes prep, the slow cooker does all the hard work for you. Sound good? Read on for the delicious recipe and helpful tips.
Slow cooker sausage casserole
Slow cooker recipes are a midweek favourite of mine. There’s something so satisfying about coming home from work knowing dinner is ready for you!
In fact, utilising slow cooker recipes is a top tip in my popular post, how to plan 5 midweek meals in less than 10 minutes. Check it out and bag your FREE meal planning kit today!
And yes, a regular oven cooked sausage casserole is delicious, but that’s more of a weekend meal really. Especially when served alongside cheesy mashed potatoes or Yorkshire puddings. With slow cooker dinners, you can simply turn it on and walk away. I mean, who loves slaving over a hot stove all day anyway?!
Plus you can always change up the flavour with something like slow cooker curried sausages, if you want to mix things up!
Can you cook raw sausages in a slow cooker sausage casserole?
Absolutely! That’s the beauty of slow cooking. Because it cooks for so long, you can be safe in the knowledge that any of that nasty raw meat bacteria will have been killed off.
Also, a ‘dump and go’ recipe is far more simple that having to do lots of prep first. Am I right?!
Do you need to brown sausages before slow cooking?
No you don’t. You can make this particular recipe by putting sausages in the slow cooker without browning first.
Browning them is mainly for texture. But it can add a little more flavour too (thanks to the maillard reaction).
It’s all down to personal preference. If you prefer the look of browned sausages, then fry them first. They won’t get any more brown in the slow cooker.
Can I put frozen sausages in a slow cooker?
I personally wouldn’t. It’s a hot pot for bacteria breeding to happen and, honestly, just not worth it.
If you’d like to know more, this post on why it isn’t safe to cook frozen meat in the slow cooker is very informative.
Can I slow cook sausages in the oven?
Absolutely! This slow cooker sausage casserole can be cooked in the oven. Place all the ingredients into a large lidded pot and cook at 160ºC/150ºC Fan/320ºF for about 1 hour.
Can you make slow cooker sausage casserole vegetarian?
Of course it can! There are lots of slow cooker sausage recipes out there, but this can be made vegetarian very easily.
All you need to do is use vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce and sausages. Note that Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce is not vegetarian as it contains anchovies/fish sauce.
Can it be made gluten free?
This slow cooker sausage casserole recipe is naturally gluten free. Please do check the labels to be sure though, particularly with the sausages, Worcestershire sauce and vegetable stock pots.
Ingredients and substitutions
Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s what you need to know…
The star ingredients
- Sausages – If using pork sausages, choose those with a high meat percentage. They’re better for you and the flavour is always superior. Making a vegetarian version? I’ve used Richmond meat free sausages with great success.
- Onion – A regular brown onion is perfect. Red would work if that’s all you have though.
- Carrots – Medium carrots are ideal. Simply increase or decrease the quantity if you can only get small or large.
- Pepper – Nice large red bell peppers work brilliantly in this recipe. Yellow or orange would also work well, but I’d avoid using green as they can be a little bitter.
Flavour boosting ingredients
- Oil – I like to fry sausages in olive oil as it adds a lovely flavour. Feel free to use FryLight if you’re making a lighter version. Other oils such as sunflower and vegetable also work well.
- Garlic – Large garlic cloves please! None of those sad tiny ones, we want real FLAVOUR. If you can only get small garlic, add an extra clove for good measure.
- Paprika – I like to use sweet smoked paprika. I found an amazing one at TK Maxx of all places! But you can just as easily find this in the supermarkets. Just beware of the hot ones as this will add fire to your sausage casserole!
- Worcestershire Sauce – Lea & Perrins is the original (and the best in my opinion) but if you’re making a vegetarian option you’ll need to use a different brand. In the US and can’t find it? You can make your own Worcestershire sauce.
- Vegetable Stock Pot – I always use the Knorr stock pots as they are packed with flavour and dissolve really easily. However, stock cubes would work equally as well.
- Salt & Pepper – I use sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Table salt and ground pepper would be absolutely fine though, as it’s all going to dissolve anyway.
- Thyme – Fresh thyme is best as it packs a flavour punch! You could switch this out for 1 tsp of dried thyme if you need to though.
The sauce ingredients
- Tinned Tomatoes – You need to use a good quality brand that isn’t full of liquid. I used the Napolina chopped tomatoes which worked really well.
- Baked Beans – This one is down to preference. We’re a fan of Heinz baked beans in my house but Branston would work well too. The thicker the sauce the better though, or you could end up with a runny casserole.
Recipe tips and troubleshooting
Here are some tips I think you’ll find helpful when making this slow cooker sausage and bean casserole.
- You don’t have to brown your sausages, but it does add a little texture and flavour that otherwise wouldn’t be there.
- Short on time? You can skip browning your sausages and just dump them straight into the slow cooker.
- Remember to cut your veg chunky or they will become very soft and mushy.
- Like your veg crunchy? Keep the peppers back and add them in 1 hour before the time is up.
- Enjoy a little heat? Add in some chilli flakes to your taste, for a fiery kick to your slow cooker sausage casserole.
Time management
Have limited time? Struggle with recipe timings? Or juggling around other things? Here’s some time managing info to make your life easier.
- You don’t have to brown your sausages. Just add them into the slow cooker raw and it will all work out fine. I promise. It’ll save you about 15 minutes.
- If the time goes a little over 8 hours, don’t worry. I’ve put mine on overnight (9 hours) before and it was still delicious!
- Need this slow cooker sausage casserole in a hurry? Cook on high for 4-5 hours instead.
If you like this recipe…
…you might also like:
- Easy slow cooker chicken curry
- Slow cooker vegetable soup recipe
- Slow cooker beef massaman curry
- No fuss slow cooker pulled pork
Easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole – Step by Step Picture Recipe
(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to serve 4.
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 12 x Sausages
- 1 x Onion, peeled and thickly sliced
- 3 x Medium Carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
- 1 x Red Bell Pepper, deseeded and cut into large pieces
- 2 x Large Garlic Cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 tsp Smoked Sweet Paprika
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 x Vegetable Stock Pot*
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 x 400g (14oz) Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
- 2 x 400g (14oz) Tins of Baked Beans
- 2 x Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
*or you can crumble in a stock cube
Essential equipment
- Large Frying Pan
- 3.3 Litre Slow Cooker
Instructions
Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat then add the oil (1 tbsp). Put the sausages (x 12) into the pan and cook until browned all over. It will take about 15 minutes.
You can skip this stage and put the sausages into the slow cooker raw if you like.
Then add the onion (1 x peeled and thickly sliced), carrots (3 x medium, peeled and cut into large pieces) and red pepper (1 x deseeded and cut into large pieces) into the bowl of your slow cooker.
Top with the garlic (2 x cloves, peeled and roughly chopped), paprika (2 tsp), Worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp), vegetable stock pot (x 1), pepper (1/2 tsp) and salt (1 tsp).
Next, pour in the chopped tomatoes (1 x 400g | 14oz tin) and the baked beans (2 x 400g | 14oz tins) and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed.
Finally, stir the sausages through the mixture then top with the thyme sprigs (x 2).
All that’s left to do is pop the lid on and cook on low for 8 hours. You could cook this on high for 4-5 hours if you need it quicker.
Divide your slow cooker sausage casserole between four bowls and serve with a tasty side (see some suggestions later in this post).
Can you freeze slow cooker sausage casserole?
Yes you can freeze it! Allow your sausage casserole to cool completely, then divide between 4 freezer bags or tubs and pop into the freezer.
Use within 3 months and defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating.
What to serve with slow cooker sausage casserole
- Pasta
- Rice
- Easy air fryer chips
- Couscous
- Boiled potatoes
- Crushed potatoes
- Jacket/baked potatoes (If you have a 2nd slow cooker you can even make slow cooker jacket potatoes!)
Loved this recipe? Pin it!
Easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole - Printable Recipe
Need an easy midweek meal without the fuss? This super easy slow cooker sausage casserole recipe is for you! With just 15 minutes prep, the slow cooker does all the hard work for you.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 12 x Sausages
- 1 x Onion, peeled and thickly sliced
- 3 x Medium Carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
- 1 x Red Bell Pepper, deseeded and cut into large pieces
- 2 x Large Garlic Cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 tsp Smoked Sweet Paprika
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 x Vegetable Stock Pot*
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 x 400g (14oz) Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
- 2 x 400g (14oz) Tins of Baked Beans
- 2 x Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
Essential equipment
- Large Frying Pan
- 3.3 Litre Slow Cooker
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan over a medium heat then add the olive oil. Tip the sausages in and cook, turning frequently, until browned all over (about 15 mins). This step is optional. You can skip browning and add the raw sausages straight to the slow cooker if you like.
- Add the onion, carrots, bell pepper, garlic, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, vegetable stock pot, pepper and salt to the slow cooker, then pour over the chopped tomatoes and baked beans. Mix well.
- Add the sausages and mix them through the mixture then top with the thyme sprigs.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Notes
*or you can crumble in a stock cube
See the main post for a more detailed, step by step picture recipe.
Be sure to read the sections Ingredients and Substitutions, Recipe Tips and Troubleshooting and Time Management for lots of helpful information before you begin making this recipe. You can find them in the main body of this post.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 728Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 2626mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 12gSugar: 24gProtein: 37g
Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.
I want to see YOUR cooking!
Have you made this glorious slow cooker sausage and bean casserole? I’d love to know if you have! Tag me in your pics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or email me at emma@kitchenmason.com.
About Emma Mason
Emma is a professional blogger. Utilising over 20 years of cooking experience, she’s passionate about making your life easier, one recipe at a time! Drawing on her 12+ year background in recipe research and development, photography, copy writing and marketing, Emma has turned kitchenmason.com into a successful career. Known as ‘the organisation queen’ among friends, she is passionate about creating easy to follow recipes that anyone can follow and enjoy. She lives in Nottingham (UK) with her husband, daughter and 2 naughty cats. In her spare time she can be found reading a good book, training at the dojo preparing for her black belt grading, or dreaming up the next crazy colour combo for her hair!
Ann leiseboer
Sunday 8th of October 2023
You're slow-cooked sausage and baked bean casserole looked beautiful. The problem is that we hate and despise baked beans, resulting in being overfed with tinned baked beans as children. Please do you have any ideas as to what we can substitute for the beans?
Emma
Sunday 8th of October 2023
Hi Ann. You could try switching them out for another tin of chopped tomatoes, and some chunks of potato instead. I've not personally tried it though, so not 100% sure on size/amounts. Hope this helps! Emma x
P
Thursday 26th of January 2023
Left out the 'pepper and chilli', as desperately allergic to them. Why the now seem to be compulsory with every meal is ridiculous. Otherwise, ok flavour. No need for 8 hours on Low, 6 is quite sufficient. Serve with limited carbs, or the goodies will be up in arena over free the carbs. Liked it, might make it again. Only did it as have been very ill with Sepsis and recovering very slowly. My absolutely gorgeous husband does all the shopping for me. Thank you for 4ok just population village in Spain and magical village shop. Better than supermarkets. Use them or lose them. Simple.
Emma
Friday 27th of January 2023
Hi there! Good to know you can shave off some cooking time, thanks for sharing that. Sorry to hear you've not been very well, I hope you feel better soon. It's lovely you have such a great husband looking after you! Emma x