Vegetarian Sausage Casserole

This easy vegetarian sausage casserole is your new favourite comfort food. Bulk out with butter beans and serve with mash for a filling dinner.

If this isn't the perfect thing to cook for a family meal on a cold weekend then I don't know what is 🔥

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Now, before we kick off, let's just clear something up. You can totally make this sausage casserole with meat sausages if you prefer. I chose to use vegetarian sausages for various reasons.

First, because I'm not that into meat sausages, I don't know what it is about them but they just don't really appeal. 

Secondly, as I've mentioned several times on the blog, Will and I are trying to cut down how much meat we eat. We didn't eat huge amounts before but we've now almost completely cut it out of our cooking and only have it a) when we're really craving it or b) on special occasions/when eating out.

Because of this we've been trying out lots of recipes using veggie sausages. I quite like veggie sausages in their own right and have really enjoyed adding them to various different recipes. I've discovered that they work pretty well in vegetarian toad in the hole and vegetarian breakfast burritos and now I'm adding them to a vegetarian sausage casserole.

What's nice is that using vegetarian instead of pork sausages actually makes this a pretty healthy sausage casserole.

So, other than the vegetarian sausages, we've got all your classic casserole ingredients. A rich tomato sauce is made with chopped tomatoes, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, red wine and plenty of herbs.

The sauce tastes so amazing that it seems like it's been cooked for hours but the amazing thing is that the sauce is only simmered for half an hour and yet it's still super rich and delicious.

I like to cook the vegetarian sausages beforehand rather than in the sauce. I just follow the packet instructions.

Ingredients:

To make this easy vegetarian sausage casserole you will need:

• Vegetarian Sausages: Use whatever brand you like, I normally go for Linda McCartney, they do a really yummy red onion and rosemary version. Cook them according to packet instructions before starting.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Make sure you get a vegetarian version.
• Dried Herbs and Spices: We went with smoked paprika for a delicious smoky flavour, dried thyme and oregano, a bay leaf and sprigs of fresh thyme.
• Vegetable Stock: We love the Knorr stock pots, they have so much flavour and are so easy to use.
• Red Wine: We're not big red wine drinkers but we always keep a bottle on hand to use for cooking and I recommend you doing the same. 
• Butter Beans: I adore butter beans and think they're perfect for bulking out so many meals but if you prefer a different bean then that would work just as well.

How to make it:

You're just a few steps away from eating this vegetarian sausage casserole for dinner:

1. Fry the onion, carrot and garlic: Add a little oil to the pot and fry your onions, carrot and garlic until softened then add the chopped tomatoes, paprika, stock, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, thyme, oregano and bay leaf.
2. Simmer for 20 minutes: Until the sauce is thickened.
3. Add the sausages and beans: Cook for another 10 minutes until everything is heated through. 

Variations

• Add extra veggies. You could easily bulk this out with other veg, broccoli or spinach would be great in here.
• Try using different herbs and spices: Instead of smoked paprika you could try a little chilli powder to make it spicy or add some rosemary along with the thyme.

Is sausage casserole healthy?

The thing I love about this sausage casserole is that it has all the comforting flavour of a much unhealthier dish but it's actually pretty good for you! Especially since we aren't using traditional pork sausages which are normally loaded with fat. The sauce is made from plenty of healthy ingredients including tomatoes and beans which makes the whole thing pretty light while still satisfying. 

What goes with sausage casserole?

For me there is nothing better to serve with sausage casserole than a big pile of mashed potato, honestly the ultimate comfort food, but if you're looking for something a little lighter then you could definitely just go with some veg like broccoli or cauliflower and you'd still have a filling meal.

Want more? Try these other casserole recipes!

• Beef Noodle Casserole
• Pressure Cooker Chicken Casserole with Kale & White Beans
• Cheesy Ground Beef & Rice Casserole
• Sausage & Bean Casserole with Breadcrumb Topping

WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVER INGREDIENTS YOU’VE GOT FROM MAKING THIS VEGETARIAN SAUSAGE CASSEROLE?

If you’re anything like me then you’re always looking for ways to save money and avoid food waste so I want to make sure you’ve get plenty of ideas on how to use up any ingredients that are leftover from my recipes!

Healthy Halloumi Bake with Aubergine

Smoked paprika can be used up in this simple halloumi bake

Cheesy Baked Meatball Sandwiches

Use Worcestershire sauce in the tomato sauce for these meatball sandwiches

Recipe

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