Creamy Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this cheesy potato and smoked sausage casserole that promises warmth in every delightful bite.

Layers of golden potatoes mingle with savory sausage chunks, creating a hearty symphony of flavors.

Creamy cheese binds each ingredient into a mouthwatering masterpiece that screams home-cooked goodness.

Crispy edges and melted center make this dish irresistible for hungry souls seeking satisfaction.

Weeknight dinners never looked so inviting, with minimal prep and maximum flavor packed into a single skillet.

Crisp green onions scattered on top add a fresh burst of color and zesty excitement.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Why Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole Is So Filling

• Craft Comfort Quickly: This sausage potato casserole delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Layer Flavor Brilliantly: Strategically building layers of potatoes, sausage, and cheese creates a mouthwatering combination that guarantees rich, satisfying bites in every serving.
• Crowd-Pleasing Champion: Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings, this hearty dish appeals to all ages with its classic comfort food profile and robust flavor combinations.
• Budget-Friendly Winner: Utilizing affordable ingredients like potatoes, sausage, and cheese makes this recipe an economical option for feeding multiple people without breaking the bank.

All You Need For Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

• Russet Potatoes: Large starchy potatoes that create a hearty base and provide a creamy texture for the casserole.

• Smoked Sausage, Bacon: Smoky meats that add rich flavor and savory depth to the dish.

• Heavy Cream, Milk: Liquids that create a smooth, rich sauce for binding the ingredients.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds a tangy, creamy element.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a golden, crispy top.
• Sour Cream: Adds a cool, tangy finish when served as a garnish.

• Garlic: Brings a pungent, aromatic flavor to the casserole.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds a bright, crisp finishing touch.

• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover the dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning.

How To Prepare Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F and generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent any stubborn sticking.

Step 2: Slice Potatoes

Grab your russet potatoes and wash them thoroughly. Slice them into thin, uniform rounds about 1/4-inch thick, ensuring each piece looks almost like a delicate potato coin.

Step 3: Prep Sausage and Garlic

Chop the smoked sausage into bite-sized morsels that will add a punch of flavor. Mince the garlic cloves into tiny fragments that will infuse every layer with aromatic goodness.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Melted butter
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth and well-combined.

Step 5: Create First Potato Layer

Arrange the first round of potato slices along the bottom of the baking dish. Slightly overlap each slice to create a solid, delectable foundation.

Step 6: Add Cheese and Sausage

Sprinkle a generous blanket of shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes. Scatter sausage pieces and minced garlic across the layer, creating a flavor explosion.

Step 7: First Cream Pour

Drizzle half of the cream mixture evenly across the first layer, making sure every potato and morsel gets a nice, moist coating.

Step 8: Build Second Layer

Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, sausage, cheese, and cream mixture. Think of it like building a delicious potato skyscraper.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender and flavors to dance together.

Step 10: Crisp and Brown

Remove the foil and continue baking for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown top that promises crispy deliciousness.

Step 11: Rest and Set

Pull the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the layers to settle and soak up any remaining moisture.

Step 12: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle crispy bacon bits and chopped green onions on top. Add a dollop of sour cream for extra indulgence. Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Simple Tips For Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

• Select Potato Thickness Carefully: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice potatoes uniformly, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Prevent Potato Browning: Soak sliced potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch and prevent discoloration before assembling the dish.
• Enhance Cheese Flavor: Mix different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar and gruyere for a more complex and rich taste profile in the casserole.
• Boost Sausage Depth: Briefly pan-sear sausage pieces before adding to the casserole to develop deeper caramelized flavors and improve overall texture.
• Make Ahead and Freeze: Prepare the entire casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months, allowing convenient meal preparation in advance.

Creative Twists On Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

• Vegetarian Potato Casserole: Replace smoked sausage with plant-based sausage or roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Swap russet potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining a similar creamy texture and flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add diced green chilies, jalapeños, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired casserole with extra heat.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, replace butter with olive oil, and select dairy-free cheese alternatives to accommodate lactose-intolerant diners.

What Pairs Well With Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio perfectly balance the rich, creamy casserole with their light, refreshing notes and cut through the heaviness of the dish.
• Serve with Bright Salad: Create a tangy mixed green salad featuring arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh counterpoint to the hearty potato sausage layers.
• Match with Bold Beer Selections: Amber ale or wheat beer complement the smoky sausage and creamy textures, enhancing the overall dining experience with their robust, malty characteristics.

Save Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole For Later Like A Pro

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the dish is completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Place a label with the date to track freshness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating and maintain moisture.

Curious About Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole? Get Answers Here

• Are russet potatoes the best choice for this recipe?

Russet potatoes are ideal due to their high starch content, which helps create a creamy texture and absorbs flavors well during baking.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Smoked sausage works best, but you can substitute with kielbasa or andouille for similar rich, smoky flavor profiles.

• How do I ensure the potatoes cook evenly?

Slice potatoes uniformly at 1/4-inch thickness and slightly overlap them to promote consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.

• What if I want to make this dish lighter?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and use reduced-fat cheese to decrease overall calorie content while maintaining flavor.

Cheesy Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty “cheesy potato & smoked sausage casserole” delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining smoky sausage with creamy potatoes. Melted cheese and crispy edges create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Sausage:

• 4 lbs russet potatoes
• 1 lb smoked sausage
• 1 lb cheddar cheese

Base and Seasoning:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Garnish and Additional Flavor:

• 1/4 cup green onions
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup crispy bacon bits

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure easy serving and prevent sticking.
2. Thoroughly wash and slice russet potatoes into uniform thin rounds, approximately 1/4-inch thick, to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture.
3. Dice the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic cloves, preparing them for layering and flavor enhancement.
4. Create the creamy base by whisking together heavy cream, milk, melted butter, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-combined.
5. Arrange a initial layer of potato slices on the bottom of the baking dish, slightly overlapping each piece to create a solid foundation.
6. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes, followed by scattered sausage pieces and minced garlic.
7. Pour half of the cream mixture evenly across the first layer, ensuring all ingredients are moistened and seasoned.
8. Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, sausage, cheese, and cream mixture, creating a rich and hearty casserole.
9. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing potatoes to become tender and flavors to meld together.
10. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.
11. Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to allow the layers to set and absorb remaining moisture.
12. Garnish with crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream before serving hot.

Notes

• Select starchy russet potatoes for the best texture and absorption of creamy sauce.
• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the casserole.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version that still maintains rich flavor.
• Consider using turkey sausage or plant-based sausage alternatives for healthier dietary preferences.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding smoked paprika or dried thyme to the cream mixture for extra depth.
• Prevent potatoes from browning too quickly by keeping them fully covered during initial baking period.
• Make this dish gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients like sausage and cheese are certified gluten-free.
• Prepare casserole ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to develop more intensely before baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg