Step 1: Brown the sausages
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausages and brown them on all sides, cooking for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausages from the pan and set them aside.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables
- In the same pan, add the sliced onions, garlic, red pepper, and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Step 3: Add the sauce ingredients
- Stir in the tomato purée, smoked paprika, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and canned tomatoes. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Simmer the casserole
- Return the browned sausages to the pan and stir them into the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and let the casserole simmer on low heat for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
- Once the casserole is ready, garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot. Hairy Bikers Sausage Casserole pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.