Vegan Sausage Casserole

A vegan sausage casserole is a one-pot dish of plant-based sausages, beans, and vegetables simmered in a tomato and stock based sauce, finished with a breadcrumb topping. It takes about 30 minutes on the stovetop plus a short spell in the oven, and it’s flexible enough to use whatever vegetables or beans you already have in the fridge.

It is one of the more forgiving things you can cook. The sausages, the beans and the vegetables are all swappable, the sauce is tomato and stock, and it holds in a low oven if people are late.

Why make it this way

It uses what you have. Green beans, butter beans, kidney beans, cannellini, chickpeas, leftover lentils: any of them work. So do most vegetables in the bottom of the fridge. This is a recipe in the loose sense.

MindShift Mentors · 7 nights free

It’s 9pm and you’re not even hungry

The kitchen light goes on anyway. Fifteen minutes of guided audio a night, aimed at the pattern rather than the willpower.

Try 7 nights freeThat’s me, most nights

It is one pot and one tray. Everything happens in the same pan until the breadcrumbs go on top, which is the whole appeal on a weeknight.

It gets better overnight. The beans keep absorbing the sauce, so Tuesday’s portion is usually better than Monday’s. It freezes well too.

Tips

A casserole is hard to get badly wrong, but there are two things that separate a good one from a flat one.

Crisp the sausages first

The sausage is the star of the sausage casserole, without a doubt. However, even experienced cooks sometimes make the mistake of having a less-than-stellar sausage. In other words, a soggy sausage can make the casserole sad.

Crispy sausages add texture and enhance the casserole’s overall taste. To achieve this, fry the sausages using a small amount of cooking oil, preventing the sausages from getting soggy and heavy while cooking.

If you are up to it, slicing the sausages into thin slices before frying them is also a great idea. Not only will the sausage slices be crispy and delicious, but they will also make it easy to plate the dish while serving.

Grilling the sausages is also an excellent way to add texture. Something similar to this tater tot casserole.  However, if you prefer grilling the sausage, cut them after they are done.

The sauce base

The sausages carry the texture and the sauce carries the flavour, and the sauce is made or lost in the first ten minutes.

First, finely dice all the vegetables and aromatics you need for the sausage casserole.

Second, cook the veggies over low heat for about 10 minutes or until they are soft. This cooking method will bring out the flavour of the veggies, so they make the perfect sauce.

Now it’s time to get cooking.

Pin the image below if you like this Vegan Casserole recipe.

The recipe

Beans and sausages are the classic pairing and most people have a tin of something in the cupboard, so that is what this version uses.

Ingredients

• 400g beans – Feel free to use green beans, butter beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, cannellini, or black beans. Alternatively, you can use any cooked leftover pulses, including chickpeas or lentils. Drain and rinse the beans in cold water if using a canned version.
• 400g tinned tomatoes – You can also use passata
• 400ml vegetable stock
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 8 Vegan sausages (I use Beyond)
• 3 tbsp oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 peppers
• 2 sticks of celery
• 2 carrots
• 2 onions
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Note: Dice all the vegetables, chop the herbs, and set aside.

Cooking method

• Heat about half of the above oil in a casserole dish and fry the sausage until crisp and brown. Remove them onto a plate.
• Add the remaining oil to the dish and fry the veggies over low flame. Stir them occasionally until they are soft.
• Next, add the thyme, and paprika, followed by tomato and tomato puree and stir.
• Next, add the bay leaf and beans, followed by vegetable stock. If you use leftover beans or pulses, add them later after the sausage is cooked.
• Bring the casserole dish to a simmer, add the vegan sausage to the pot, and cook over low flame.
• The vegan sausage casserole will cook in about 20 to 30 minutes, so you must keep an eye on the sausage.
• After the sausage is cooked and the sauce has become thick, remove the dish from the flame.
• Season the casserole with freshly ground parsley, salt, and pepper.
• As the last step, add the breadcrumbs at the top.
• Remove the casserole lid and put it in a 180oc preheated oven for about 5 minutes or until the breadcrumbs become brown.
• Serve the vegan sausage casserole with rice, salad or mashed potato.

FAQs

What beans work best in a sausage casserole?

Butter beans and cannellini are the two that hold their shape and go creamy rather than mushy. Kidney and black beans work and stay firmer. Chickpeas are fine but stay distinctly chickpeas rather than melting into the sauce. Any cooked pulse in the fridge will do the job.

Can I make it in the oven instead?

Yes, and it is the better method if you have the time. Brown the sausages and vegetables on the stove, add the liquid, then move it to a 180C oven for 40 minutes, uncovered for the last 15 so the top catches. The breadcrumbs go on for that final stretch.

Why are my sausages soggy?

They went in with the liquid instead of being browned first. Plant-based sausages do not firm up in a wet sauce the way meat ones do, so the crust you put on them at the start is the only texture they will have at the end. Brown them, set them aside, and return them in the last ten minutes.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, up to three months, though leave the breadcrumb topping off until you reheat it. Beans and tomato freeze well and the sauce is usually better for it. Thaw overnight, reheat in a pan or the oven, then add the crumbs.

Can you make it spicier?

A vegan sausage casserole is versatile, so you can make it spicy with chili flakes or make it fancier by adding red wine. If you use wine, add it to the dish and cook until it reduces before adding the tomatoes.

Whether your vegan sausage casserole is basic or fancy, it’s a comforting, warming dish regardless of the season.

• Casserole with veggies
• How to make Vegan Sausage Casserole
• Plant-based Sausage Casserole
• Recipe for Vegan Casserole
• Vegan Casserole Recipe
• Vegan Casserole ingredients
• Vegan Sausage Casserole