Of course! This Sausage and Potato Casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to throw together for a family dinner or a potluck. It’s a complete meal in one dish.
🥘 Sausage and Potato Casserole
This recipe is highly customizable and yields a delicious, satisfying bake with crispy potatoes and savory sausage.
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 50-60 minutes Serves: 4-6 people
Ingredients:
· 1.5 lbs (700g) potatoes (Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes), scrubbed and cut into ½-inch cubes
· 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or hot), either links or bulk meat
· 1 large onion, chopped
· 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
· ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded cheese (a blend of cheddar and mozzarella works great, or use Italian blend)
· Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Add-Ins:
· 2 cups chopped broccoli or cauliflower florets
· 1 cup sliced mushrooms
· A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish.
- Prepare the Sausage:
· If using sausage links, you can slice them into ½-inch rounds.
· In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage (whether links or bulk meat), breaking it up with a spoon until it’s browned and cooked through. If there’s excess grease, drain most of it, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor. - Combine Ingredients: In a very large bowl, combine the cubed potatoes, chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and add the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss everything until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Casserole:
· Add the cooked sausage to the bowl with the potato mixture and stir to combine.
· Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
· Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. - Bake:
· Bake covered for 30 minutes. This steams the potatoes and ensures they become tender.
· Carefully remove the foil and stir the mixture. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy on the edges and easily pierced with a fork. - Add Cheese and Finish:
· Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
· Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Serve: Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
👩🍳 Pro Tips for Success:
· Uniform Size: Cut the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
· Parboil for Speed: For an even faster cook time, you can parboil the potato cubes for 5-7 minutes until just starting to become tender. Drain well before mixing with the other ingredients. This can reduce the baking time by 10-15 minutes.
· Don’t Skip the Foil: Covering with foil for the first half of baking is crucial. It traps the steam, which cooks the potatoes through without drying out the other ingredients.
· Customize It: This is a very flexible recipe. Add in other veggies you have on hand, like zucchini, carrots, or spinach (add spinach in the last 10 minutes).
· Make it Creamy: For a richer casserole, whisk together one can of condensed cream of mushroom or cheddar cheese soup with ½ cup of milk and pour it over the mixture before baking.
🍽 Serving Suggestions:
· On its own: It’s a complete meal with protein, veggies, and starch.
· With a Side: Serve with a simple green salad, coleslaw, or some crusty bread to soak up any delicious juices.
· With Dips: A dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce is fantastic on top.
Enjoy your delicious and easy homemade meal