Crock Pot Italian-Spiced Beef and Sausage Casserole

Ingredients

- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb spicy sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup uncooked noodles (preferably penne or elbow)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or provolone)
- 1 cup cubed potatoes
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp Italian spices
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, spicy sausage, and Italian spices. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the meat.

2. Brown the Meat:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage and beef mixture until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

3. Layer the Crock Pot:
Place the cubed potatoes at the bottom of the Crock Pot, followed by a layer of diced chicken breasts. Add the browned meat mixture on top.

4. Add the Vegetables and Beans:
Layer cabbage, mushrooms, corn, black beans, white beans, diced tomatoes, and bell peppers over the meat mixture.

5. Add Liquids and Noodles:
Pour in the cream and lemon juice, making sure to distribute it evenly. Add the uncooked noodles on top, ensuring they are covered by the liquid to soften during cooking.

6. Cheese Covering:
Top the layers with shredded cheese. Gently press down to immerse the noodles and cheese slightly into the ingredients below.

7. Cook the Casserole:
Set the Crock Pot to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and noodles are cooked through.

8. Final Touch:
Once the cooking time is complete, stir all ingredients gently to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT20M
20 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT8H
8 hours

Total Time

PT8H20M
8 hours 20 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Crock Pot casserole, Italian beef and sausage, dinner recipe, easy Crock Pot meals, Italian spices dinner, sausage casserole, creamy Casserole, family meal, slow cooker recipes

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 3,200

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