Description
A simple, hands-off slow cooker meal featuring Italian sausage and fresh green beans, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep and comforting flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage links (mild or spicy)
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced (about 150g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- ½ cup chicken broth (120ml), low-sodium preferred
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Trim the green beans and slice the onion. Slice the sausage into ½-inch pieces or leave whole to crisp up more. Mince the garlic cloves.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the sausage pieces for 3-4 minutes per side until lightly crusted. This adds extra flavor and texture.
- Place the green beans at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the sliced onions and browned sausage on top. Sprinkle the minced garlic over everything.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper evenly over the ingredients. Pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until green beans are tender but still have a snap and sausage is cooked through. Alternatively, cook on high for 3 hours if pressed for time.
- Right before serving, stir in fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve directly from the crockpot with crusty bread or a simple salad.
Notes
Browning the sausage before slow cooking adds flavor and texture but can be skipped for a true dump-and-go meal. Use fresh green beans for best texture; frozen green beans can be used but reduce cooking time by about an hour. Adjust seasonings at the end as slow cooking mellows spices. To bulk up, add diced potatoes or carrots at the start. For a creamy twist, stir in cream cheese or heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to keep moist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 20
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, sausage, green beans, dump-and-go, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, Italian sausage