CROCKPOT SMOKED SAUSAGE & HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

For the family that's coming to stay for the holiday or just to make thanksgiving morning easier! this looks so good!

SMOKED SAUSAGE AND HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

homemade cream of chicken condensed soup:

1 tablespoon butter (smart balance)
2 tablespoons flour (GF flour mix)

1 cup water

1 cup whole milk (non dairy or lactose free)
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon paste* (GF)

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

salt & pepper, to taste

1 32-oz. bag of hash browns, defrosted

14 oz. smoked sausage, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (Cabot lactose free or GoVeggie)

DIRECTIONS:

For the homemade condensed cream of chicken soup, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk. Cook 1 minute. Stir in water and whisk to remove any lumps. Simmer until thick, then stir in milk and chicken bouillon paste plus the seasonings. Sauce should thicken slightly at this point. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside.

Place hash browns, smoked sausage, onion and cheese together in a lightly greased crockpot. Pour over condensed soup and stir. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or until potatoes are soft and sausages are hot. Serve.

*Chicken bouillon paste is similar to bouillon cubes, but in a paste form. It's found in jars right next to the boxes of chicken stock. If you don't have this ingredient, simply use either powdered or cubed bouillon {enough for 2 cups of liquid according to directions on the packaging} OR 1 cup of chicken stock instead of water and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning.

Recipe from: http://www.laurenslatest.com/crockpot-smoked-sausage-hash-brown-casserole/