Description
Kielbasa Sausage Cheesy Potato Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring smoky kielbasa sausage, tender diced potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this casserole combines rich flavors and a satisfying texture with baked cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound kielbasa beef sausage, sliced into pieces
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 teaspoon seasoning (such as Slap Ya Mama or your favorite seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- About ½ cup water (to help brown the sausage)
Cheese
- 10.5 ounce can cheddar cheese soup (use about half the can in the mix)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13×9-inch or 3-quart casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat, add the sliced kielbasa sausage along with ½ cup water. Cook the sausage as the water evaporates, allowing it to brown. Add small amounts of water as needed to prevent sticking. Once browned, add diced onions and cook until softened, then stir in minced garlic.
- Add Potatoes: Add the peeled and diced potatoes to the pot with sausage and onions, stirring to combine.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, about half the can of cheddar cheese soup, seasoning, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly and heat gently until the mixture just starts to boil.
- Add Cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in most of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it begins to melt into the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Optionally, sprinkle extra shredded cheddar cheese on top for a cheesier crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 65–75 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese on top and melt it completely.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let the sauce thicken, ensuring neat slices and rich flavor in every bite.
Notes
- Adding water while browning sausage prevents sticking and helps achieve even browning.
- You can substitute the seasoning with your favorite blend or leave out for less spice.
- Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheesy flavor; mild cheddar can be used if preferred.
- Covering the casserole while baking ensures the potatoes cook through and stay moist.
- Removing the foil at the end helps develop a crisp, golden cheese topping.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps it hold its shape when sliced.
