Crockpot Beef Sausage & Green Beans: Simple Dinner (Print Version)
Crockpot Beef Sausage and Green Beans: Your new favorite easy weeknight meal! Enjoy tender sausage, fresh green beans, and a savory one-pot sauce.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (check sausage)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Stars
01 -
1.5 lbs beef smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
02 -
1.5 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
→ Flavor Foundation
03 -
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted if possible)
04 -
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium
→ Pantry Essentials
07 -
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
08 -
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
09 -
1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
10 -
1 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, let's get that beef sausage ready. Slice it into nice, thick rounds – about half an inch. You want a good bite, you know? Then, if you're feeling fancy (or just want a little extra flavor), give those sausage rounds a quick sear in a skillet over medium-high heat. Just a minute or two per side until they get a little browned and caramelized. This step isn't strictly necessary for Crockpot Beef Sausage and Green Beans, but it really deepens the flavor, honestly! Don't skip it if you have the time.
02 -
In that same skillet, or a fresh one if you skipped searing the sausage, add a drizzle of olive oil. Toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up, about 5-7 minutes, until it's translucent and smells amazing. Then, throw in your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – I’ve made that mistake more times than I care to admit, and it just turns bitter. This sets a fantastic flavor foundation for our Crockpot Beef Sausage and Green Beans.
03 -
Now for the easy part! Carefully transfer your seared sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic into your trusty crockpot. Add the fresh green beans, those diced tomatoes (undrained!), and pour in the chicken broth. Sprinkle in your Italian seasoning, a good pinch of salt, and a generous crack of black pepper. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything. You'll see all those vibrant colors, ready to transform!
04 -
Pop the lid on your crockpot. Set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. I usually go for the low and slow method because it really lets all those flavors meld together beautifully, making the beef sausage incredibly tender and the green beans perfectly cooked but not mushy. Resist the urge to peek too often – every time you lift the lid, you lose precious heat!
05 -
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the lid. Give your Crockpot Beef Sausage and Green Beans a good stir. Take a little taste – is it seasoned enough? This is where you can add a bit more salt or pepper if needed. Sometimes, I’ll add a tiny splash of hot sauce if I’m feeling a little extra kick. The aroma at this point is just incredible; you'll know it's ready!
06 -
Dish out generous portions of your delicious Crockpot Beef Sausage and Green Beans. It looks so inviting with the colorful beans and rich sauce. I love serving it straight from the crockpot, honestly, it just feels so homey. The beef sausage will be tender, the green beans perfectly cooked, and the sauce will have thickened slightly. Get ready for some happy eaters!
# Notes:
01 -
Always sear the sausage first if you have time; it makes a HUGE difference in flavor depth, a trick I learned the hard way.
02 -
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge; they're even better the next day.
03 -
If you don't have fresh green beans, frozen works in a pinch – just add them later in the cooking process.
04 -
Serve this dish with some crusty bread to soak up all that amazing, savory sauce.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Crockpot (Slow Cooker)
02 -
Large Skillet
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 18g
Protein: 25g