There is something mighty comforting about a slow cooker meal that asks so little of you and still turns out rich, hearty, and full of old-fashioned flavor. Using raw ground breakfast sausage as the base gives this simple 5-ingredient dish a savory country taste that feels right at home on a Midwestern table, and with just a handful of pantry staples, it becomes the sort of dependable supper you can set up early and enjoy later without standing over the stove.
This dish is especially good spooned over hot biscuits, buttered toast, mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice, depending on whether you want it to lean breakfast, brunch, or supper. A side of scrambled eggs, simple green beans, or a crisp cucumber salad helps round it out nicely, and a little black pepper on top brings the sausage flavor forward in the best way.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Ground Breakfast Sausage
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound raw ground breakfast sausage
1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Lightly grease the slow cooker crock if desired, then add the raw ground breakfast sausage to the bottom, breaking it into large chunks with a spoon.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
3. Pour the soup mixture over the sausage, cover, and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
4. About halfway through cooking, stir well and break the sausage into smaller crumbles so it cooks evenly in the sauce.
5. Once the sausage is fully cooked and the gravy is hot and creamy, give it one final stir and serve warm over biscuits, toast, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Variations & Tips
Make it heartier: Stir in a can of drained diced potatoes or spoon the finished sausage mixture over hash browns if you want a fuller meal that will stick to the ribs.
Change the soup: Cream of chicken or cream of celery both work nicely here if that is what you have in the pantry, and each one gives the gravy a slightly different homestyle flavor.
Season to taste: Breakfast sausage can vary from mild to quite peppery, so taste before serving and add a little extra black pepper or even a pinch of crushed red pepper if your family likes more zip.
For a smoother gravy: If you like a thinner, silkier sauce for spooning over biscuits, add an extra splash of milk near the end of cooking and stir until it loosens up.
Storage tip: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a small splash of milk so the gravy stays creamy instead of getting too thick.