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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker

    Easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

    Published: Jan 24, 2022 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Slow cooker sausage casserole pin image.

    An easy slow cooker sausage casserole recipe with chunky sweet potato, sliced red onion, in a rich tomato sauce!

    This simple slow cooker sausage casserole is made without browning the sausages first, making it a truly 'dump and go' slow cooker recipe! You might also like my sausage hotpot recipe too!

    Sausage casserole in a slow cooker.
    Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

    There's something really comforting about a slow cooker sausage casserole, cooked in your crockpot or slow cooker, particularly on cold, dark winter nights when you crave something warming and filling!

    My family loves this easy recipe made with chipolata sausages (which the children prefer to normal thick pork sausages!), cubed sweet potato (for a bit of added nutrition), and a really easy tomato-based sauce.

    It's an incredibly versatile recipe, so feel free to add mushrooms, white potatoes, peppers, or even baked beans! Whatever takes your fancy/needs using up!

    👩‍🍳 Love sausage casserole but don't have a slow cooker? Try my easy sausage casserole made on the hob!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🔪 How to make sausage casserole in a slow cooker
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋 More slow cooker recipes to try!
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    Here's why this is the best slow cooker sausage casserole recipe!

    • Dump & go slow cooker recipe
    • No browning required
    • Hearty and comforting
    • Freezer-friendly
    • Easily customised

    Don't forget to check out all of my easy slow cooker recipes!

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients for the slow cooker sausage casserole.
    • Sausages - my kids prefer chipolata sausages, but feel free to swap for normal thick pork sausages, or even veggie sausages! If using pork sausages, make sure they have a high pork content (97% or above), for the best flavour.
    • Red Onion - sliced, or substitute for white onion.
    • Sweet Potato - peeled and cut into 2cm cubes. Other veggies can be added too and I give suggestions below!
    • Stock - I make a rich beef stock using a knorr stock pot, but an ordinary oxo cube is fine too. If you're making a veggie sausage casserole, use vegetable stock!
    • Chopped Tomatoes - or swap for passata if you prefer your sauce less chunky.
    • Red Pesto - instantly adds loads of flavour! You can use sun-dried tomato paste as a substitute.
    • Dried Thyme - you can use fresh herbs if you prefer, and rosemary also works very well in this slow cooker sausage stew.
    • You'll also need salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar for seasoning.
    • Thickening granules (or a cornflour slurry) can be used to thicken the sausage casserole at the end of cooking.

    🥄 Equipment

    I use a Morphy Richards 3.5 litre slow cooker* (they also do a 6.5 litre capacity one too). The 3.5 litre slow cooker is more than big enough to feed a family of 4-5 people, so this is the one I use on a day to day basis!

    You'll also need a vegetable peeler*and chopping board*!

    Please note these are affiliate links* and I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

    🔪 How to make sausage casserole in a slow cooker

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Place the sliced red onion, cubed sweet potato and chipolata sausages in your slow cooker.

    Two: In a bowl or jug, mix together chopped tomatoes, red pesto, beef stock, sugar, thyme, salt and pepper, and pour it over the sausages (there's no need to brown them first).

    Three: Cook the casserole on low for 7 hours or high for 4. You may want to stir through some thickening granules (or whisk in a cornflour slurry) at the end of cooking, to thicken the sauce.

    💡 Pro Tip - if you can, cook the sausage casserole with the lid removed for the last hour of cooking. This will help thicken up the sauce and mean it is unlikely you will need to use thickening granules or a cornflour slurry at the end of cooking!

    How to make a sausage casserole in a slow cooker - step by step photos.

    💭 Top tips

    • There's no need to brown your sausages before cooking them in the slow cooker, but you can if you like (I don't like the extra washing up!).
    • If you don't have red pesto to hand, use sun-dried tomato paste with a teaspoon of garlic granules mixed in!
    • Use fresh woody herbs to flavour the casserole if you have them in your garden. Thyme, rosemary and oregano work well.

    💡 Pro Tip - if you're using a cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce, it's important to first mix the cornflour (1 tablespoon) with an equal amount of water (1 tablespoon) to prevent lumps from forming.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    I like to serve this crockpot sausage casserole with cheesy mashed potato, air fryer roast potatoes, Parmentier potatoes, or rice, for a tasty and filling dinner!

    A side portion of green vegetables is nice to serve alongside it too. Roasted Tenderstem broccoli, air fryer asparagus, or pan-fried Brussels sprouts with bacon are my personal favourites!

    📖 Variations

    There are so many ways to change this easy sausage casserole up!

    • Add a tin of baked beans for slow cooker sausage and baked bean casserole.
    • Add a sliced red pepper or chopped mushrooms.
    • Add a tin of cannellini beans for slow cooker sausage and bean casserole.
    • Make a veggie sausage casserole in your slow cooker - I really like Linda McCartney veggie sausages.
    • Use a schwartz or Colemans sausage casserole seasoning mix for ease. Just mix it in with the chopped tomatoes first.
    Slow cooker sausage casserole in a black crockpot.

    🥡 Storage

    • To Store. The sausage casserole can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Reheat. Reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
    • To Freeze. Once cooled, place the casserole in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, before reheating in the microwave.

    ❓ FAQs

    Can I put raw sausages in a slow cooker?

    Yes, you sure can!

    Do I have to brown sausages before putting them in the slow cooker?

    You can, but you don't have to, and I never do! It's mainly done for aesthetic reasons, but I don't want the extra washing up!

    Can you put frozen sausages in a slow cooker?

    Yes! Just add an extra 1-2 hours onto the cooking time.

    How do you thicken sausage casserole?

    For ease, I use thickening granules (usually found in the baking section of supermarkets), but you can also use a cornflour slurry (equal parts cornflour and water mixed together and whisked into the sauce). I find that if I remove the slow cooker lid for the last hour of cooking, the sauce naturally thickens up on its own!

    Slow cooker sausage and sweet potato casserole with rice.

    😋 More slow cooker recipes to try!

    • Slow Cooker Pork Chops
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
    • Slow Cooker Roast Beef
    • Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne
    • Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Beef

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Sausage casserole in a slow cooker.
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    5 from 7 votes

    Easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

    An easy slow cooker sausage casserole recipe with chunky sweet potato, sliced red onion, in a rich tomato sauce!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Keyword crockpot sausage casserole, easy slow cooker sausage casserole, slow cooker sausage casserole, slow cooker sausage stew
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 7 hours
    Total Time 7 hours 5 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 313kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Chopping Board
    • Vegetable Peeler
    • Measuring Jug

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 2 Red onions peeled and sliced
    • 1 Sweet Potato peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
    • 12 Chipolatas or 8 thick pork sausages
    • 400 g Tin Chopped Tomatoes or use passata
    • 1 tablespoon Red Pesto
    • 250 ml Beef Stock
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme or 1 tablespoon of fresh
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ Black Pepper
    • 1-2 tablespoon Thickening Granules or make a cornflour slurry

    Instructions

    • Place the sliced red onion, cubed sweet potato and chipolata sausages in your slow cooker.
      2 Red onions, 1 Sweet Potato, 12 Chipolatas
    • In a bowl or jug, mix together chopped tomatoes, red pesto, beef stock, sugar, thyme, salt and pepper, and pour it over the sausages (there's no need to brown them first).
      400 g Tin Chopped Tomatoes, 1 tablespoon Red Pesto, 250 ml Beef Stock, 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme, 1 teaspoon Sugar, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ Black Pepper
    • Cook the casserole on low for 7 hours or high for 4. You may want to stir through some thickening granules (or whisk in a cornflour slurry) at the end of cooking, to thicken the sauce.
      1-2 tablespoon Thickening Granules

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • There's no need to brown your sausages before cooking them in the slow cooker, but you can if you like (I don't like the extra washing up!).
    • If you don't have red pesto to hand, use sun-dried tomato paste with a teaspoon of garlic granules mixed in!
    • Use fresh woody herbs to flavour the casserole if you have them in your garden. Thyme, rosemary, and oregano work well.
    💡 Pro Tip - if you're using a cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce, it's important to first mix the cornflour (1 tablespoon) with an equal amount of water (1 tablespoon) to prevent lumps from forming.
     
    Variations:
    • Add a tin of baked beans for slow cooker sausage and baked bean casserole.
    • Add a sliced red pepper or chopped mushrooms.
    • Add a tin of cannellini beans for slow cooker sausage and bean casserole.
    • Make a veggie sausage casserole in your slow cooker - I really like Linda McCartney veggie sausages.
    • Use a Schwartz or Colemans sausage casserole seasoning mix for ease. Just mix it in with the chopped tomatoes first
     
    Storage:
    • To Store. The sausage casserole can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Reheat. Reheat in the microwave until piping hot.
    • To Freeze. Once cooled, place the casserole in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, before reheating in the microwave.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    313
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    68
    g
    105
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    23
    g
    144
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    30
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    184
    mg
    61
    %
    Sodium
     
    2247
    mg
    98
    %
    Potassium
     
    1210
    mg
    35
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    23
    g
    8
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    42
    g
    84
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    8359
    IU
    167
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    17
    mg
    21
    %
    Calcium
     
    97
    mg
    10
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shadi Hasanzade

      January 24, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      So comforting! This sausage casserole would be perfect for these cold evenings with some warm bread to soak up all that delicious gravy!

      Reply
    2. Toni

      January 24, 2022 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      This was really a huge hit at my house!! I love how satisfying it is!!

      Reply
    3. Heather Perine

      January 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      Love that there was no browning required..used the sundried tomato pesto and regular potatoes. Still so good!!

      Reply
    4. Anjali

      January 24, 2022 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      This casserole was so satisfying and delicious!! My family loved it and I'm sure we'll be making it again soon!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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