Sausage Casserole Recipe
These vintage sausage casseroles are hearty, satisfying comfort-food classics—great for family dinners, potlucks, and make-ahead meals.
Choose a crowd-pleasing sausage-and-rice bake, or a savory lentil-and-Italian-sausage casserole with carrots, tomato sauce, and a splash of vinegar. Use the jump links below to go straight to the recipe you want.
Recipes on this page
Use the links below to jump directly to each sausage casserole recipe.
Sausage Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork sausage meat
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped (use 1 cup during cooking; reserve 1 cup for topping)
- 2 bouillon cubes
- 4 1/2 cups boiling water
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1/4 cup margarine, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven: 375°F
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a large heavy skillet; drain off excess fat.
- Add green pepper, onions, and 1 cup chopped celery; cook 5 minutes.
- Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water in a large pan; stir in rice. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
- Add sausage mixture and salt; stir thoroughly.
- Turn into a 13×9×2-inch pan. Sprinkle remaining celery on top and drizzle melted margarine over all.
- Bake 30 minutes at 375°F. Serves 10 to 12.
Total Cook Time - about 1 hour
Equipment - heavy skillet + 13×9×2-inch pan
Servings - 10 to 12
Casserole of Lentils and Sausage
Ingredients
- 12 oz lentils
- 4 1/2 cups boiling water
- 2 teaspoons salt or seasoned salt
- 1 clove garlic, mashed
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, sliced 1/4 inch
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
Preheat oven: 350°F
Instructions
- Wash and sort lentils. Place in a covered 4-quart casserole; add boiling water, salt, and mashed garlic.
- Bake covered at 350°F for about 45 minutes.
- Remove sausage casing and cut sausage into 1-inch pieces. Brown sausage in a frying pan; stir into lentils.
- Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Sauté onion until limp; add onion and carrots to the lentils.
- Stir in tomato sauce and vinegar.
- Return to oven and bake uncovered about 20 minutes.
Total Cook Time - 1 hour +
Equipment - 4 quart casserole
Servings - 6 to 10
Sausage Casserole FAQ
What sausage works best in these casseroles?
Pork sausage meat works well for the rice casserole. For the lentil casserole, Italian sausage adds extra flavor, but regular sausage also works.
Can I make these casseroles ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready, adding a little extra time if the dish is cold.
How do I store leftovers?
Cool, refrigerate in a covered container, and reheat until hot throughout. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems dry.
Do lentils need soaking first?
No. Lentils cook quickly—just rinse and sort them before baking.