Sausage Casserole with a Herb Breadcrumb Topping
This is a wonderful comforting and warming dish!  Use your favourite varieties of sausages to create this Sausage Casserole and serve with crusty bread - delicious!
Servings: 4 yield(s)
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 70 mins
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 of your favourite pork sausages
  • 180 g smoked bacon lardons
  • 1 onion (peeled & finely sliced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled & crushed)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 300 ml chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark brown soft sugar
  • 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 100 ml red wine
  • 400 g tin of mixed beans (drained & rinsed)
  • sea salt & pepper (freshly ground)
    • For the breadcrumbs
  • 50 g fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 garlic clove (peeled & crushed)
  • 1 handful fresh flat leaf parsley (finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/Gas mark 7.
  2. Heat a large ovenproof casserole over a medium heat and add the oil once heated add the sausages and cook for 10 minutes until the sausages are evenly browned. Remove the sausages and set aside.
  3. Now add the bacon to the pan and cook until brown and crisp, set aside with the sausages.
  4. Add the onions to the pan and fry on a medium heat until softened, add more oil if necessary, stir often – this should take around 5 minutes. Now add the garlic and fry for a further 2-3 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle the smoked paprika and cook for around 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, herbs and wine – boil and bring to the simmer.
  6. Add the sausages and bacon and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the topping by mixing the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley and 1 tbsp olive oil - season to taste.
  7. Add the beans to the casserole and scatter over the breadcrumbs and drizzle over the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place back in the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
  8. Allow to stand for a few minutes then serve with crusty bread - enjoy!