Description
Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is a hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole packed with smoky sausage, tender potatoes, tangy ranch, and melty cheddar. Baked until golden and bubbling, this comfort food classic comes together with pantry staples and flexible swaps for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
2 lb Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, diced 3/4-inch
14–16 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced 1/4-inch
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix (or 3 Tbsp)
1 cup sour cream
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter
2 Tbsp fresh chives or green onions, sliced
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, cream soup, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and olive oil until smooth.
3. Fold in diced potatoes, onion, and half of the shredded cheddar. Spread evenly into the baking dish.
4. Top with sliced smoked sausage in a single layer.
5. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 20–25 minutes more, until potatoes are fork-tender and sauce is creamy.
6. Scatter remaining cheddar on top. Bake 5–8 minutes until melted and golden. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
7. Finish with fresh chives or green onions.
Notes
Dice potatoes evenly at 3/4-inch for uniform doneness.
For quicker prep, use frozen diced hash browns (add 5–10 minutes to bake).
Par-steam potatoes 3–4 minutes in the microwave for guaranteed tenderness.
Crisp sausage slices in a skillet before topping for extra smoky flavor.
Slow cooker method: mix all except cheese, cook on Low 4–5 hours, stir once, and add cheese in the final 20 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container 3–4 days or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat covered at 325°F or in the microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1220 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg