Introduction

Cooking a warming, satisfying vegetarian meal in a campervan doesn’t need to be complicated — or require an oven. This one-pan vegetarian sausage casserole is perfect for vanlife, using easy-to-store ingredients and cooked entirely on the hob. With rich tomato flavour, plenty of vegetables, and protein-packed veggie sausages, it’s the ideal meat-free dinner after a long day on the road. Best of all, it’s low on washing up and big on taste.

Vegetarian Sausage Casserole (Vanlife-Friendly – No Oven)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Tools Needed: One deep frying pan or saucepan, hob, wooden spoon

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 vegetarian sausages (pre-cooked or fry-from-frozen)
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ courgette, chopped
½ red pepper, sliced
400g chopped tomatoes (1 tin)
200g cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained
1 tablespoon tomato purée
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried thyme or mixed herbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: handful of spinach or a splash of balsamic vinegar

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook the vegetarian sausages for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally until browned. Remove and slice into bite-sized pieces.

Add the onion, garlic, courgette, and red pepper to the same pan. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.

Stir in the tomato purée, paprika, and herbs. Cook for another minute, then add the chopped tomatoes and beans. Return the sliced veggie sausages to the pan and stir everything together.

Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the vegetables are tender. Add a handful of spinach at the end if you like, or a splash of balsamic vinegar to deepen the flavour. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot with bread, mash or rice.

Why It Works for Vanlife

This recipe uses just one hob and no oven, making it ideal for small-space cooking. All ingredients are long-life or easy to store in a camper fridge, and the whole dish is ready in about 20 minutes. It’s hearty, filling, and a great meat-free option when you’re travelling.