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Old-Fashioned Sauerkraut Casserole (Budget-Friendly Winter Comfort)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 66 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: German

Description

This Sauerkraut Casserole is a comforting German-inspired dish featuring tangy sauerkraut baked with diced tomatoes, bacon, and a touch of sugar. Slow-baked at a low temperature, it achieves a luscious caramelized top and deep flavors that make it perfect as a hearty side or main dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sauerkraut
  • 14 ounces tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup white sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • ½ tablespoon ground black pepper (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius) to prepare for slow baking.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, mix together the sauerkraut, coarsely chopped tomatoes, white sugar, diced bacon, and ground black pepper until well combined.
  3. Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly around the edges and the top is caramelized to a golden-brown color.

Notes

  • Adjust the sugar quantity to balance the tanginess of the sauerkraut to your preference.
  • Using diced bacon adds a smoky flavor, but for a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and consider adding smoked paprika or smoked tofu.
  • Make sure to use a casserole dish large enough (9×13 inches) to allow even cooking and caramelization.
  • Low and slow baking is essential to develop the deep caramelized flavors, so avoid increasing the temperature to shorten the cooking time.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with traditional German sausages or mashed potatoes.