As the evenings become darker and the temperatures begin to drop, October is the perfect time to bring comforting, warming meals back onto the menu.
Our Tomato & Sausage Casserole is packed with rich tomato flavour and makes an easy family dinner for a chilly autumn evening.
Better still, most of the work happens in one dish, making it a great option when you want something hearty without spending the entire evening in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 8 good-quality pork sausages
- 500g fresh British tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 tin cannellini beans, drained
- 300ml vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley, to serve
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large casserole dish and brown the sausages on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Add the onion and pepper to the same pan and cook for around five minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add the garlic and smoked paprika and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the fresh tomatoes and tomato purée.
- Pour in the stock and add the mixed herbs.
- Return the sausages to the pan and simmer gently for around 20 minutes.
- Add the cannellini beans and continue cooking for another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the sausages are cooked through.
- Season to taste and finish with fresh parsley.
Comfort Food with Tomatoes at its Heart
The tomatoes are what bring everything together in this dish. As they cook, they soften into the sauce, creating a rich base that works brilliantly with the sausages, beans and smoky paprika.
Serve your casserole with crusty bread, mashed potato or even a baked potato for the ultimate autumn comfort meal.
It’s also a great recipe to make ahead, with the flavours developing even further when reheated the following day.
