Description
Creamy cheesy ranch potatoes and sausage bring comfort and flavor to dinner tables with minimal effort. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal packed with zesty ranch seasoning and melted cheese that pulls everyone to the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (450g) smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 pounds (900g) potatoes, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28g) ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Dairy and Liquids:
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/300g) condensed cheddar cheese soup
- ½ cup (120g) sour cream
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Ignite your oven to a toasty 375F (190C), preparing the culinary stage for a hearty potato and sausage ensemble.
- Activate a large skillet over medium flame, drizzling olive oil to create a sizzling foundation.
- Introduce sliced smoked sausage to the skillet, allowing it to transform into a golden-brown delicacy. Once caramelized, transfer the sausage to a waiting plate.
- Within the same aromatic skillet, tumble diced onions and bell peppers. Coax them into a tender submission, stirring occasionally until they soften and glisten.
- Sprinkle minced garlic into the vegetable medley, letting its fragrance bloom for a brief moment.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, unite the roasted potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and reserved sausage into a harmonious blend.
- Craft a velvety sauce by whisking together heavy whipping cream, condensed cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, and ranch seasoning until silky and unified.
- Cascade the creamy elixir over the potato mixture, gently folding to ensure every morsel is luxuriously coated.
- Migrate the entire composition into a generously greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, draping it with aluminum foil like a protective culinary cloak.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 45 minutes.
- Unveil the creation, stir gently, then shower it with a blizzard of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Return to the oven uncovered, letting the cheese melt into a bubbling, golden landscape for 15-20 minutes.
- Rescue the dish from the heat, permitting it a brief moment of repose.
- Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives for a vibrant final flourish.
- Serve while warmth and comfort still embrace the dish.
Notes
- Choose high-starch potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best creamy texture and crispy edges.
- Pat potatoes dry before cutting to ensure they brown nicely and don’t become soggy during cooking.
- Use pre-cooked smoked sausage for quicker preparation and consistent flavor throughout the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use low-fat cheese to reduce calories.
- Vegetarian adaptation: Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or add extra roasted vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms for protein.
- Customize ranch seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount or using homemade ranch mix for a more personalized flavor profile.
- Make ahead by preparing the entire dish and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve – perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Add a crispy topping like breadcrumbs or crushed crackers before the final cheese layer for extra crunch and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 617
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1075mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 105mg