Slow Cooker Amish Harvest Casserole: A Cozy, Hearty Meal for Any Season
If you love rustic, comforting dishes that fill your home with irresistible aromas, the Slow Cooker Amish Harvest Casserole is about to become a new family favorite. Inspired by traditional Amish home-cooking, this casserole brings together simple ingredients—root vegetables, beans, sausage, and warm spices—to create a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl.
his recipe is perfect for busy days, cool evenings, potlucks, or when you want something nourishing without spending hours in the kitchen. With a slow cooker doing all the work, you get deep, rich flavors with minimal effort.
What Makes It “Amish Harvest”?
The Amish are known for meals that are:
- Simple but full of flavor
- From-scratch and hearty
- Based on seasonal produce
- Made with pantry staples
This casserole celebrates the bounty of the harvest—sweet potatoes, apples, beans, spices, and savory meat—to create a beautiful balance of sweet and savory.
The combination may seem unusual at first, but trust the tradition: these flavors melt together perfectly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) butter beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional:
- A splash of apple cider
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make Slow Cooker Amish Harvest Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Slice the sausage, chop the vegetables, and rinse the beans. The beauty of this dish is how quickly everything comes together.
Step 2: Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker
Add sweet potatoes, apples, beans, sausage, and onions. No need to pre-cook anything—just pile it all in.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Step 4: Cover and Cook
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors have blended beautifully.
Step 5: Serve
Give it a gentle stir, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve warm.
This dish is fantastic on its own, but it’s also delicious over rice or alongside fresh bread.
Why You’ll Love This Casserole
- Sweet + Savory Perfection: Apples, sweet potatoes, sausage, and spices make every bite balanced and comforting.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable staple ingredients.
- No-Fuss Cooking: A true dump-and-go recipe.
- Family Approved: Mild flavors with a cozy, homey feel.
- Great for Leftovers: The flavors deepen overnight.
Tips & Variations
- Add carrots or butternut squash for even more harvest flavor.
- Use ham instead of sausage for a milder, smokier taste.
- Swap brown sugar for maple syrup for a richer, earthy sweetness.
- Add cabbage in the final 1–2 hours for extra heartiness.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the sausage and adding more beans.
Final Thoughts
The Slow Cooker Amish Harvest Casserole is one of those magical recipes that tastes like fall, feels like comfort, and cooks itself while you go about your day. It’s simple, wholesome, and deeply satisfying—the kind of recipe you’ll reach for over and over again.
Whether you’re feeding a family, meal-prepping for the week, or craving something rustic and cozy, this dish truly captures the warmth of Amish country cooking.
