Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes

You know those recipes that make weeknight dinners feel like a gift? The ones where you toss everything in one pot, go about your day, and come home to something that smells absolutely amazing? That's exactly what this Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole is all about.

I discovered this recipe three years ago when Bradley had back-to-back soccer practices and Amy had dance rehearsals on the same night. John and I were running in circles, and I needed something that would cook itself while we shuttled kids around Nashville. I threw some sausage and potatoes in the crock pot before we left that morning, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

When we walked through the door that evening, exhausted and hungry, the smell hit us immediately. Even Bradley looked up from his phone and said, "Mom, what IS that?" The potatoes were perfectly tender, the sausage was juicy, and everything had melded together into this comforting, hearty meal that tasted like I'd spent hours cooking. If you're looking for more easy comfort food, check out my slow cooker beef stew that's another family winner.

The best part? There are only eight ingredients, and you probably have most of them in your kitchen right now. This crock pot sausage and potatoes recipe has become my go-to whenever life gets hectic, which, let's be honest, is pretty much every week.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Sausage Recipe
• Ingredients for Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole
• How to Make Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole
• Storage and Reheating Tips
• Tips for Making the Best Sausage and Potatoes
• FAQs About Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts on This Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes Recipe
• Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes

Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Sausage Recipe

This slow cooker sausage and potatoes dish checks all the boxes for busy families:

• Ridiculously Simple - Just dump everything in and walk away. No browning, no layering, no fuss. If you can open cans and slice sausage, you can make this.
• Budget-Friendly - We're talking basic ingredients here. Baby potatoes, sausage, and a few pantry staples create a filling dinner that doesn't break the bank.
• Hands-Off Cooking - Set it in the morning and forget about it until dinner time. Perfect for those days when you're running around or working from home and need something easy.
• One-Pot Wonder - Less cleanup means more time with your family. I cannot stress enough how much I love not having a sink full of dishes after dinner.
• Kid-Approved - Amy loves the tender potatoes, and Bradley can eat about three servings of this without stopping. Even picky eaters tend to go for this combination.
• Makes Great Leftovers - This actually tastes even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to marry together.

Ingredients for Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole

Here's what you need to make this crock pot sausage and potatoes recipe:

• 16 oz fully cooked sausage (sliced into 1-inch chunks) - I usually grab smoked sausage or kielbasa from the grocery store
• 2 lbs whole baby potatoes (cut in half) - These hold their shape perfectly in the slow cooker
• 2 small yellow onions (cut into chunks) - Don't skip these, they add so much flavor
• 1 can diced tomatoes - I use a 14.5 oz can with the juice
• 1 teaspoon salt - Adjust to your taste
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic - Fresh or jarred both work fine
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - This ties everything together beautifully
• 1 cup chicken broth - Keeps everything moist and creates a light sauce

The ingredient list is straightforward, which I love. No weird specialty items or hard-to-find seasonings.

How to Make Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole

Making this slow cooker sausage and potatoes couldn't be easier. Honestly, this is the kind of recipe I make when I'm half asleep on Monday mornings.

1. Add all ingredients to your crock pot. Seriously, that's it. Toss in the sliced sausage, halved baby potatoes, chunked onions, diced tomatoes (with their juice), salt, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth. Give it a quick stir if you want, but you don't even have to.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. I usually do low and slow because I'm gone most of the day. The potatoes and onions should be fork-tender when it's done.
3. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy! I like to scoop this into bowls with some crusty bread on the side to soak up all those good juices.

Last Tuesday, I started this before taking Amy to school, and by the time we got home from her dance class, dinner was completely ready. John had already served himself and Bradley by the time Amy and I walked in. That's how good this smells when it's cooking.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This crock pot sausage potato casserole stores beautifully, which makes it perfect for meal prep.

Storing Leftovers: Transfer any leftover sausage and potatoes to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5-7 days. The flavors actually get better after a day or two in the fridge.

Reheating: I usually reheat portions in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also warm it on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth if it seems dry.

Freezing: While you can freeze this, I find the potatoes can get a bit grainy after thawing. If you do freeze it, use within 2-3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make-Ahead Tip: You can prep everything the night before. Cut your potatoes and onions, slice your sausage, and store them separately in the fridge. In the morning, just dump everything in the crock pot and turn it on.

Tips for Making the Best Sausage and Potatoes

After making this crockpot sausage and potatoes recipe dozens of times, I've picked up a few tricks:

Choose the Right Sausage: I've tried this with kielbasa, Italian sausage, and smoked sausage. They all work great, but Bradley's preference is smoked sausage. The Italian sausage gives it more of a zesty kick if that's what your family likes.

Don't Skip Cutting the Potatoes: Leaving the baby potatoes whole takes forever to cook. Cutting them in half speeds up the cooking time and gives you more surface area to soak up the flavors.

Add Some Heat: Want to spice things up? Throw in half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage. John and I love it with a little kick, though I make a separate mild version when the kids eat with us.

Try Different Vegetables: Sometimes I'll add bell peppers or green beans during the last hour of cooking. Amy gets excited when there are colorful peppers in there.

Make It Creamier: For a richer version, stir in half a cup of heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. It creates this luscious sauce that's incredible.

Check Your Timing: Every slow cooker cooks differently. Mine runs a bit hot, so I usually check around the 5-hour mark when cooking on low. You want tender potatoes, not mushy ones.

What's your slow cooker like? Does it run hot or does everything take forever?

FAQs About Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes

Recipes You May Like

If you loved this easy crockpot sausage and potato casserole, you'll want to try these other comforting recipes:

• The Best Meatloaf Recipe - Another family dinner winner that's simple and satisfying
• Slow Cooker Beef Stew - Perfect for those days when you want something hearty and warming
• Garlic Butter Melting Potatoes - If you love potatoes as much as we do, these are incredible

Final Thoughts on This Crock Pot Sausage and Potatoes Recipe

This crock pot sausage and potatoes dish has saved my sanity more times than I can count. Between Bradley's sports schedule, Amy's activities, and just the general chaos of family life in Nashville, having a recipe I can start in the morning and forget about until dinner is priceless.

The combination of tender potatoes, juicy sausage, and those sweet onions all cooked together creates something that feels way more special than the effort you put in. And when your teenager asks for thirds and your eight-year-old declares it "the best dinner ever," you know you've got a winner.

Give this a try this week and let me know what you think! I'd love to hear what type of sausage you used and how your family liked it.

Save this recipe on Pinterest so you can find it again later when you need an easy dinner idea!

Happy cooking, and here's to many more delicious meals with your loved ones.

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