Smoked Sausage and Potato Casserole
Smoked Sausage and Potato Casserole is an all-time favorite comfort food. This hearty dish combines the flavors of smoked sausage and creamy, cheesy potatoes. It’s easy to prepare and guarantees to leave your family and guests asking for seconds.
My family loves sausage and potato recipes! John really likes our sausage and potatoes skillet recipe because it’s packed with chicken apple sausage and plenty of fresh veggies.
When we have extra sweet potatoes, our sausage and sweet potato hash is one the menu!
Today, it’s my cheesy smoked sausage and potato casserole. This dish is full of flavorful smoked sausage, tender russet potatoes, and the creamiest Velveeta cheese sauce.
To make this dish last for a few days, we like to serve it with some veggie packed side dishes.
One of our favorites is sautéed fresh green beans. I pan-fry these green beans in cast iron then top them with garlic and crispy bacon.
Another great side dish is our roasted brussels sprouts recipe. These brussels sprouts are drizzled with a little olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, then roasted until golden brown. Yum!
This sautéed broccoli may be my favorite pairing! Broccoli florets are cooked until brown and crispy. Then, I toss in some garlic and lemon juice for a bright, flavorful finish.
There are so many side dish options that taste good with this sausage and potato casserole. Choose your favorite!
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein: Swap the smoked sausage with turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or kielbasa.
- Paprika: Add a sprinkle paprika for flavor and a pop of golden brown color.
- Veggies: Add a cup or two of steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or sweet peas.
- Cheese Sauce: Skip the Velveeta and make a homemade cheese sauce with flour, butter, and your favorite cheese.
- Cheese: Sprinkle your favorite flavor of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Some options are sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and pepper jack.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. Or, heat in the microwave on half power until the casserole reaches the desired temperature.
Freezer: Since our smoked sausage casserole uses Velveeta, we don’t recommend freezing it. It doesn’t hold up well, and the cheese sauce has an unappealing texture once thawed.
Tips
- Make sure to cook the cheese sauce on low or low-medium heat and stir it frequently. This sauce can scorch easily, so it’s best to keep a close eye on it.
- Don’t over bake the casserole. The cheese sauce can scorch in the oven, too. You want to bake it just until it begins to bubble around the edges.
- The sauce becomes very thick as it cools. When reheating, add a few splashes of milk or half and half to loosen it up if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredients
- 4 cups potatoes, diced in ½-inch cubes
- 14 ounces smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 16 ounces Velveeta, cut into small cubes
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt, or adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, and grease an 11×7-inch or 9×9-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Place the potatoes into a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender but not so soft that they're mashable. Drain, and return to the pan (off the burner/remove from heat).4 cups potatoes
- While the potatoes boil, cook the sausage. Place a medium skillet over medium heat, and cook the sausage until browned and carmelized to your liking. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Transfer the sausage to the pan of drained potatoes.14 ounces smoked sausage
- In a medium pan over low heat, melt the Velveeta, butter, milk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Stir often to keep the sauce from scorching. Once melted and creamy, pour the sauce over the potatoes and sausage and stir gently to coat.16 ounces Velveeta½ cup unsalted butter½ cup milk1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon onion powder¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish, and top with shredded cheese if using. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce bubbles around the edges.½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- Serve warm! Scroll up and see the post for tips, substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions, and storage information.