Slow Cooker Autumn Sausage Casserole

Cozy up to the flavors of fall with this Slow Cooker Autumn Sausage Casserole, a hearty and wholesome dish that’s packed with seasonal ingredients. Tender Italian sausage links are nestled among a medley of butternut squash, Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, and a crisp apple, all slow-cooked to perfection in a fragrant broth of chicken stock, apple cider, and warming herbs like thyme and rosemary. The sautéed garlic and onion infuse every bite with savory depth, while the Dijon mustard adds a subtle tangy kick. With just 20 minutes of prep time and the ease of slow cooking, this casserole is a must-try for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Serve it with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish and enjoy the quintessential taste of autumn comfort. Perfect for a fall dinner, this recipe is a soul-warming crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:380 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 Italian sausage links (mild or spicy)
• 4 cups Butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
• 2 cups Yukon Gold potatoes (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 cups Carrots (peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 Apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and chopped)
• 1 Yellow onion (diced)
• 3 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1.5 cups Chicken stock
• 0.5 cups Apple cider
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Thyme leaves (fresh, or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon Rosemary (fresh, finely chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Flat-leaf parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage links on all sides for about 5 minutes (they don't need to be fully cooked). Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and just softened.

Step 3

Layer the butternut squash, potatoes, carrots, and apple in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Step 4

Add the sautéed onion and garlic on top of the vegetables.

Step 5

Nestle the browned sausage links on top of the vegetables and aromatics in the slow cooker.

Step 6

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, apple cider, Dijon mustard, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Pour the liquid mixture over the sausage and vegetables in the slow cooker.

Step 8

Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is fully cooked.

Step 9

Before serving, taste the casserole and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped flat-leaf parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3346.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2847.9

Total Fat 149.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 331.9mg	0%
Sodium 7129.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 293.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.9g	0%
Total Sugars 72.6g
Protein 117.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 900.8mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 8506.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 15.7%

Carbs: 39.2%