Introduction

When you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome, a hearty homemade meal is one of the best ways to unwind after a day of exploring. This one-pan sausage casserole brings rich, comforting flavour without the need for an oven — perfect for life on the road. Using simple, van-friendly ingredients and a gas hob, this recipe delivers a satisfying dinner with minimal mess and maximum taste. Whether you’re pitched at a campsite or wild camping off-grid, it’s a reliable, go-to meal for any meat-eater.

Meat Sausage Casserole (Vanlife-Friendly – No Oven)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Tools Needed: One large frying pan or saucepan, hob, wooden spoon

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 pork sausages (Cumberland, Lincolnshire, or your favourite variety)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 carrot, chopped into small pieces
½ red pepper, sliced
400g chopped tomatoes (1 tin)
200g baked beans or butter beans (½ tin, drained if using butter beans)
1 tablespoon tomato purée
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried mixed herbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: splash of Worcestershire sauce, fresh parsley to garnish

Method

Place your pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the sausages and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning regularly until evenly browned. Remove the sausages and set aside.

In the same pan, add the onion, garlic, carrot and red pepper. Cook gently for 5 minutes until softened.

Add the tomato purée, smoked paprika, and mixed herbs to the vegetables. Stir for a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and beans.

Slice the browned sausages into bite-sized pieces and return them to the pan. Stir everything together, reduce the heat, and let it simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the sausages are cooked through.

Season to taste with salt, pepper and a splash of Worcestershire sauce if you like. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or cooked rice.

Why It Works for Vanlife

This dish is designed to be cooked entirely on a hob using just one pan — ideal for limited space and equipment. The ingredients are affordable, travel-friendly, and mostly tinned or long-life, making them easy to store in a campervan. With warming flavours and minimal clean-up, it’s a dependable recipe for life on the road.