Cheesy Sausage and Potato Skillet (Printable version)
A comforting one-pan dish with golden potatoes, savory sausage, and melted cheesy topping perfect for weeknight dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
→ Vegetables
02 - 1.75 lbs Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Spices & Pantry
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add butter, then sauté onions and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add diced potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until potatoes begin to soften and edges are golden.
05 - Return sausage to the skillet. Add milk and half the cheese; stir well to combine.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
07 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
08 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Everything happens in one pan, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
- The cheese gets bubbly and golden while potatoes soak up all those savory juices
- It feeds four people happily and tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
- Cutting potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes is non-negotiable for even cooking
- Do not skip pre-searing the sausage or you will miss that caramelized flavor layer
- Cast iron skillets retain heat beautifully but stay hot much longer than other pans
03 -
- Use a 12-inch skillet or larger so nothing spills when you transfer it to the oven
- Test potato doneness with a knife before baking so you do not end up with crunch