• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tasty Oven
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Breadmaker
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

Published: Nov 5, 2022 · Modified: Mar 28, 2025 by Kristina Tipps · This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a small commission.

Jump to Recipe

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is an easy comforting dinner that can be made sweet or spicy. It's packed with delicious Italian sausage, vegetables and tasty seasonings.

slow cooker italian sausage in a white bowl
Table Of Contents
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • How To Store
  • Recipe
  • Recipe Reviews

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is a one pot meal that makes a hearty dinner any time of the year. It's a great family meal or holiday recipe. This crock pot sausage stew is flavored with tomatoes, herbs and spices, and plenty of aromatics like garlic and onions.

It's packed with sweet or spicy Italian sausage and nutritious vegetables like carrots and bell peppers. It's naturally dairy-free and one big serving has only about 400 calories.

This comfort food classic is a crock pot favorite- it's easy and has a quick cooking time on high or can be cooked low and longer depending on the time you have. Along with crock pot pepper steak and one pot slow cooker meatloaf and vegetables, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and lazy weekends alike. Make sure to check out our slow cooker hamburger soup too!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It make a great family dinner.
  • It has a quick cooking time (4 hours on high).
  • It can be made sweet or spicy.
  • A one pot meal!
  • It's simple- almost a dump and go meal!
Italian sausage, pasta shells and vegetables with tomatoes in a crock pot

Ingredients

  • Italian sausage links: any variety of chicken or pork Italian sausage in mild or hot works well. Ground sausage is also a good choice if preferred.
  • Uncooked short pasta: such as shells, bow ties, ziti, penne, etc.
  • Vegetables: carrots, colorful bell pepper and chopped tomatoes.
  • Spices: parsley, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, bay leaf, salt and ground black pepper.
  • Sweet onion: yellow onion and red onion also work well.
  • Garlic cloves
  • Tomato puree
  • Chicken broth: or water and bouillon cubes.

Instructions

STEP 1: Slice the Italian sausage into ½ inch round pieces. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the Italian sausage pieces, parsley, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Saute for 5 minutes, or until sausage begins to brown lightly. Turn off the heat and add ¼ cup of cool water. Deglaze the pan with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom to release all brown bits and seasonings.

STEP 2: Add the browned sausage to the slow cooker, including the seasonings and all brown bits scraped from the bottom of the pan. Add carrots, bell pepper, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, water, chicken bouillon cubes and bay leaf. Add a pinch of sugar to correct acidity. Stir well.

STEP 3: Set the slow cooker to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, add the uncooked pasta.

STEP 4: Discard the bay leaf. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 7 days.

crock pot sausage stew in a white bowl with pasta shells

Recipe Tips

Tip 1 - Sausage: any variation of Italian sausage works well in this recipe, including both hot and sweet and chicken and pork types. A combination of sweet Italian pork sausage and spicy Italian chicken sausage is my favorite. Ground Italian sausage also works well.

Tip 2 - Pasta: short pasta types such as shells, farfalle, rigatoni, penne, and ziti are ideal for casseroles. This stew can be served over white or brown rice, quinoa, or couscous instead of adding the pasta to it. For a lower carb option, cauliflower rice is a good choice.

Tip 3 - Serving: sausage stew makes a great one pot dinner. It pairs well with classic salads and no fuss side dishes, like baby potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans and parmesan asparagus.

Can I Use Frozen Sausages In A Crock Pot?

Yes! It's fine to use frozen sausage in your slow cooker. It may take an extra hour or so to cook.

How Long Should I Slow Cook Sausage?

This recipe is slow cooked for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

Do I Need To Brown The Sausage First?

Browning the sausage with the seasonings is technically an optional step but doing so will make the casserole more flavorful as it sears in the juices from the sausage. If you don't want to take this extra step, that's no problem! Just add the sausage and seasonings to the crock pot with all other ingredients (except pasta).

sausage stew in a white bowl with parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and a slow cooker with stew in it

Variations

  • Add a golden diced potato or sweet potato.
  • Make it a cheesy slow cooker sausage casserole by adding cheddar cheese at the end, just until it melts into the stew.
  • Add more vegetables: celery, mushrooms, kale, spinach, green beans, peas and asparagus all go well with sausage casserole.

How To Store

This recipe keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to give it a star rating and let me know what you thought in the comments! And follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes!

Recipe

slow cooker sausage casserole in a white bowl on a blue placemat

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

Kristina Tipps
Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is an easy comforting dinner that can be made sweet or spicy. It's packed with delicious Italian sausage, vegetables and tasty seasonings.
4.75 from 56 votes
Bookmark RecipeSaved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 4 hours hours
Total Time 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 409 kcal

Equipment

  • slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Italian sausage links *see notes
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 carrots chopped
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 large sweet onion chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 15 oz
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 4 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • pinch of sugar
  • 12 oz uncooked pasta *see notes

Instructions
 

  • Slice the Italian sausage into ½ inch round pieces. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the Italian sausage pieces, parsley, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Saute for 5 minutes, or until sausage begins to brown lightly. Turn off the heat and add ¼ cup of cool water. Deglaze the pan with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom to release all brown bits and seasonings.
  • Add the browned sausage to the slow cooker, including the seasonings and all brown bits scraped from the bottom of the pan. Add carrots, bell pepper, onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, water, chicken bouillon cubes and bay leaf. Add a pinch of sugar to correct acidity. Stir well.
  • Set the slow cooker to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. In the last 30 minutes, add the uncooked pasta.
  • Discard the bay leaf. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Notes

Sausage: any variation of Italian sausage works well in this recipe, including both hot and sweet and chicken and pork types. A combination of sweet Italian pork sausage and spicy Italian chicken sausage is my favorite. Ground Italian sausage also works. 
Pasta: short pasta types such as shells, farfalle, rigatoni, penne, ziti, etc., are ideal. If you'd prefer not to include the pasta, the stew can be served over white or brown rice, quinoa, or couscous.
Storing: this recipe keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 10ozCalories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 16gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 1141mgPotassium: 555mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3867IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Give a shout out to @tastyovenrecipes or tag #tastyovenrecipes!

RELATED RECIPES

  • air fryer kielbasa in the basket
    Air Fryer Kielbasa
  • instant pot jambalaya with shrimp and sausage on a white plate topped with scallions
    Instant Pot Jambalaya
  • bread machine italian bread on a cutting board, sliced into pieces with butter and dipping oil
    Bread Machine Italian Bread
  • tortellini soup with spinach in a soup bowl
    Tortellini Soup

Recipes To Try Next

  • slow cooker hamburger soup in a white bowl
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
  • slow cooker hawaiian chicken featured image
    Crockpot Hawaiian Haystacks
  • slow cooker chicken and rice soup
    Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup
  • crockpot turkey chili in a slow cooker
    Crockpot Turkey Chili
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • X

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.75 from 56 votes (46 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Elaine

    March 03, 2024 at 10:07 am

    Can cabbage be grown subbed for the pasta?

    Reply
    • Kristina Tipps

      March 03, 2024 at 10:09 am

      Sure!

      Reply
  2. Laura

    July 15, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    My family really enjoyed this meal. Even my picky granddaughter loved it. I followed the recipe but added mushrooms and topped it with Parmesan cheese.

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    February 13, 2023 at 10:15 am

    3 stars
    Loved the recipe basics, but way too salty!

    Reply
    • Kristina

      February 14, 2023 at 12:32 pm

      An easy adjustment for sure, as we all have a different tolerance for salt. 🙂 Salt level will also be affected by the brand of broth and sausage too.

      Reply
  4. Kari Heron | Chef and Steward

    November 14, 2022 at 2:02 am

    5 stars
    I always wondered how pasta would come out if cooked in a slow cooker and you answered my question in this post. Will definitely try because my son loves recipes like this.

    Reply
  5. Jacqueline Debono

    November 13, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    I've served this slow cooker sausage casserole twice in the last week. Once with potato purèe and once with rice. It's a fab cook once eat twice recipe!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

profile image

Hello, I'm Kristina! I'm here to show you how to take your favorite recipes and adapt them to all your kitchen appliances!

More about me →

What's New

  • tuna nachos in a white plate
    Spicy Tuna Poke Nachos

  • bread machine sunflower seed bread slided on a cutting board
    Bread Machine Sunflower Seed Bread

  • cheese and bean quesadilla slices in a stack on a plate
    Cheese and Bean Quesadillas

  • slow cooker hamburger soup in a white bowl
    Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup

Slow Cooker

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • apples, oranges and whole seasonings for apple cider in a crockpot
    Slow Cooker Apple Cider

  • slow cooker apple pie filling with ice cream topping
    Best Slow Cooker Apple Pie Filling Recipe

Instant Pot

  • instant pot pumpkin risotto in a serving dish
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Risotto

  • instant pot pumpkin bread in a bundt pan
    Instant Pot Pumpkin Bread

  • instant pot cauliflower mac and cheese in a white bowl
    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

  • instant pot garlic mashed potatoes in a white bowl topped with butter and black pepper
    Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Trending Now

  • slow cooker loaded potato soup topped with chives, bacon and cheddar cheese
    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

  • slow cooker mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl
    Crockpot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • air fryer baby potatoes with rosemary and spices in a white bowl
    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

  • mediterranean quesadilla stacked on a plate
    Mediterranean Quesadillas

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for the latest recipes!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 TastyOven.com, LLC.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Stuck on what to say? Here are some suggestions:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this recipe! We can't wait to make it again.
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. It turned out great!
I made a few modifications, but it still turned out wonderful.

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.