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