Easy German Octoberfest Sausage Casserole Recipe
This Easy German Oktoberfest Sausage Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring a soft pretzel crust filled with layers of mashed potatoes, cooked sausages, honey mustard, and sauerkraut. Topped with a lattice of pretzels, coarse sea salt, and melted Swiss cheese, it embraces traditional German flavors and textures, making it perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Crust
- 14 thawed soft pretzels
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 8 oz grated Swiss cheese
Filling
- 3 cups warm mashed potatoes
- 24 oz cooked sausage links
- 1/3 cup honey mustard
- 24 oz warm sauerkraut
For Serving
- Beer sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Pretzel Crust: Lightly grease a casserole dish and line the bottom and sides with 10 thawed soft pretzels. Fill a large loaf pan with baking beans or pie weights, grease its outside, and press it into the casserole dish to squash the pretzels onto the base and sides. Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, keep the loaf pan inside, and let cool for about 1 hour to set the crust.
- Assemble the Layers: Remove the loaf pan from the cooled pretzel crust. Layer warm mashed potatoes evenly over the crust. Add a layer of cooked sausage links, then drizzle with honey mustard, and top with warm sauerkraut. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled, finishing with sauerkraut as the topmost layer.
- Create the Lattice Topping: Unfold the remaining 4 thawed pretzels and arrange them in a lattice pattern over the sauerkraut layer. Sprinkle the lattice generously with coarse sea salt and grated Swiss cheese to enhance flavor and add a crispy cheesy texture.
- Final Bake and Serve: Return the casserole dish to the oven and bake at 325°F for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pretzel lattice is golden brown and the Swiss cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm, accompanied by beer sauce and a cold mug of beer for an authentic Oktoberfest experience.
Notes
- Use soft pretzels that are thawed but not overly soft for the best crust texture.
- Baking beans or pie weights help maintain the pretzel crust shape during baking.
- The honey mustard adds a sweet and tangy flavor, but feel free to adjust quantity or use your favorite mustard.
- Ensure all layers are warm to help meld the flavors during baking.
- Beer sauce complements the rich flavors; it can be store-bought or homemade.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Keywords: Oktoberfest, German casserole, sausage casserole, pretzel crust, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, honey mustard, comfort food