Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

This hearty, comforting dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy night in. The combination of smoked sausage, creamy cheese, and tender potatoes creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Here’s a detailed recipe to guide you through making this casserole.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

For the casserole:

• 1 lb (16 oz) smoked sausage, sliced into thin rounds
• 4 cups diced potatoes (peeled, or use frozen diced potatoes for convenience)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the cheese sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (or substitute with half-and-half for extra creaminess)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided: 1 cup for the sauce, ½ cup for topping)
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for added depth)
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Optional toppings:

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon melted butter for crunch
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Slice the sausage: Cut the smoked sausage into thin rounds. This helps it brown evenly and ensures a good ratio of sausage to potato in every bite.
2. Dice the potatoes: If you’re using fresh potatoes, peel them first, then dice them into ½-inch cubes. Frozen diced potatoes work just as well and save time.
3. Chop the aromatics: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.

Step 2: Pre-Cook the Ingredients

1. Cook the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil or butter and brown the sausage slices on both sides. This step caramelizes the sausage, adding a smoky depth to the casserole. Remove the sausage and set aside.
2. Sauté the onions and garlic: In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onions become translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the smoked paprika and dried thyme, stirring to release their aroma. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

1. Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
2. Add the milk: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes.
3. Incorporate the cheese: Lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add the Dijon mustard and nutmeg, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Layer the ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer the potatoes, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and browned sausage. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top, ensuring the potatoes are well coated.
2. Add toppings: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole. If you like a crispy topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle this mixture on top of the cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Casserole

1. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
2. Broil for crispiness: Remove the foil and broil the casserole for an additional 5 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the cheese sauce to settle and makes it easier to serve.
2. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

This hearty, comforting dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or a cozy night in. The combination of smoked sausage, creamy cheese, and tender potatoes creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• For the casserole:
• 1 lb 16 oz smoked sausage, sliced into thin rounds
• 4 cups diced potatoes peeled, or use frozen diced potatoes for convenience
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the cheese sauce:
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk or substitute with half-and-half for extra creaminess
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided: 1 cup for the sauce, ½ cup for topping
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard optional, for added depth
• A pinch of nutmeg optional
• Optional toppings:
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon melted butter for crunch
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
• Slice the sausage: Cut the smoked sausage into thin rounds. This helps it brown evenly and ensures a good ratio of sausage to potato in every bite.
• Dice the potatoes: If you’re using fresh potatoes, peel them first, then dice them into ½-inch cubes. Frozen diced potatoes work just as well and save time.
• Chop the aromatics: Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
• Step 2: Pre-Cook the Ingredients
• Cook the sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil or butter and brown the sausage slices on both sides. This step caramelizes the sausage, adding a smoky depth to the casserole. Remove the sausage and set aside.
• Sauté the onions and garlic: In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onions become translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add the smoked paprika and dried thyme, stirring to release their aroma. Remove from heat.
• Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Sauce
• Make the roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
• Add the milk: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes.
• Incorporate the cheese: Lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy sauce. Add the Dijon mustard and nutmeg, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
• Layer the ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer the potatoes, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and browned sausage. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the top, ensuring the potatoes are well coated.
• Add toppings: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole. If you like a crispy topping, combine the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle this mixture on top of the cheese.
• Step 5: Bake the Casserole
• Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
• Broil for crispiness: Remove the foil and broil the casserole for an additional 5 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
• Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
• Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the cheese sauce to settle and makes it easier to serve.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Keyword dinner recipe

Tips and Variations

1. Add vegetables: For a more colorful and nutritious dish, add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli florets, or green beans. Sauté them briefly before layering them into the casserole.
2. Make it spicy: If you love spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce, or use a spicy smoked sausage.
3. Switch up the cheese: Experiment with different cheeses, like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Pepper Jack, for unique flavor combinations.
4. Make it ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature before baking, or add extra baking time if it goes straight from the fridge to the oven.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: This casserole freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or use the microwave for individual portions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Flavor-packed: The smoky sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and tender potatoes are a winning combination.
• Customizable: Easy to adapt with different cheeses, vegetables, or spices.
• Crowd-pleasing: Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, and it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.

This Smoked Sausage and Cheesy Potato Casserole is a true comfort food classic. Its creamy, cheesy goodness paired with smoky sausage and hearty potatoes makes it a go-to recipe for any occasion. Enjoy!