Sausage Casserole Recipe

Sausage: Adds a savory and rich flavor to the casserole. Choose your preferred type.

Onion: Provides a sweet and aromatic base for the dish.

Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its pungent and spicy notes.

Bell pepper: Adds a crunchy texture and a hint of sweetness.

Diced tomatoes: Contributes moisture and a slight acidity to balance the flavors.

Chicken broth: Adds depth and a savory element to the casserole.

Cheddar cheese: Melts on top to create a gooey, delicious finish.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the dish.

When preparing the sausage for this casserole, consider browning it in a skillet before combining it with the other ingredients. This step not only enhances the flavor by caramelizing the sausage but also helps to render out some of the fat, resulting in a less greasy final dish. Additionally, sautéing the onion and bell pepper in the same skillet can deepen their flavors and add a slight sweetness to the casserole.

• sliced sausage - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned to mimic the flavors of sausage.

• sliced sausage - Substitute with vegetarian sausage: For a vegetarian option, use plant-based sausages that offer similar texture and flavor.

• chopped onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks provide a milder flavor and can add a subtle sweetness to the dish.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a more delicate and slightly sweeter taste compared to onions.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though it lacks the fresh, robust flavor of minced garlic.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can add a mild garlic-like flavor with a hint of sweetness.

• chopped bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers offer a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor.

• chopped bell pepper - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini can add a different texture and mild flavor to the casserole.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a similar flavor but a smoother texture.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can be used for a more uniform consistency and flavor.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great alternative for a vegetarian version of the dish.

• chicken broth - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth can add a richer, deeper flavor to the casserole.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella provides a milder flavor and a gooey texture.

• shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with vegan cheese: Vegan cheese is a dairy-free option that can mimic the texture and flavor of cheddar.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the dish.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different mineral flavor and texture.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice to the dish.

• Allow the sausage casserole to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled casserole to an airtight container. If you prefer, you can also divide it into individual portions for easier reheating.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the casserole within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer.
• When freezing, consider using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• To reheat refrigerated casserole, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the casserole to an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.
• For frozen casserole, it's best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated casserole.
• If you're in a hurry, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit more shredded cheddar cheese on top before reheating to refresh the cheesy goodness.
• Always check the internal temperature of the reheated casserole to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover sausage casserole in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the cheese get bubbly again.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer a portion of the sausage casserole to a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If needed, continue heating in 1-minute increments until the casserole is hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of chicken broth or water to prevent sticking.
  2. Add the leftover sausage casserole to the skillet.
  3. Cover and heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the casserole is heated through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover sausage casserole in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Heat for about 10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, cover the dish with aluminum foil.

• Oven: Used to bake the casserole at the specified temperature.

• Large mixing bowl: Used to combine the sausage, onion, garlic, bell pepper, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.

• Casserole dish: Used to transfer the mixed ingredients for baking.

• Knife: Used to chop the onion and bell pepper, and to slice the sausage.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface for chopping the vegetables and slicing the sausage.

• Garlic press: Used to mince the garlic cloves.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the chicken broth and shredded cheddar cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and black pepper.

• Spatula: Used to spread out the mixture evenly in the casserole dish.

• Oven mitts: Used to safely handle the hot casserole dish when removing it from the oven.

Pre-cook the sausage: Brown the sausage in a skillet before mixing with other ingredients to reduce oven time.

Use pre-chopped veggies: Buy pre-chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper to save prep time.

Opt for canned tomatoes: Use canned diced tomatoes to avoid the hassle of chopping fresh ones.

Shred cheese in advance: Shred the cheddar cheese ahead of time or buy pre-shredded to save minutes.

One-pot method: Combine all ingredients in a single casserole dish to minimize cleanup.