Dr Mobeus
Sausage and Bean Casserole
Sausage and bean casserole is a classic British comfort food that uses some of the cheapest ingredients in the supermarket. Budget sausages from the major UK chains typically cost around £1.50 for a pack of 8, and when they are baked in a rich tomato and bean sauce, they become something far better than their price tag suggests.
The baked beans do double duty here – they add both flavour and substance to the sauce. Combined with tinned tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce, they create a rich, savoury gravy that complements the sausages perfectly. The long, slow bake means the flavours meld together beautifully.
At 78p per portion, this is a proper family meal that will fill everyone up without breaking the bank. Serve it with mashed potatoes, which add roughly 20p per portion, or with a slice of bread to soak up the sauce. It also reheats well and often tastes even better the next day.
Sausage and Bean Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan or casserole dish on the hob.
- Brown the sausages all over for 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Add the onion and carrot to the same pan and cook for 5 minutes until softening.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the dried herbs.
- Pour in the baked beans, chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock cube and water. Stir well.
- Return the sausages to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Season with black pepper.
- Cover with a lid or foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the sauce is thick and the sausages are cooked through.
- Serve hot with mashed potato or crusty bread.
Tips and Variations
Use the cheapest sausages you can find – they work better in a casserole than premium ones as they absorb more sauce. If you want to add vegetables, a diced pepper or a handful of mushrooms work well. For a sweeter sauce, add a teaspoon of brown sugar. This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months.
