Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

This dish combines tender potatoes, savory smoked sausage, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce with the zesty flavor of ranch. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that is simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for a family dinner. This one-pan or casserole-style dish offers a complete meal with meat and potatoes in every bite.​​

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Why Make This Recipe

You should make this recipe because it is a flavorful and comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. It’s an incredibly easy dish to put together, qualifying as a wonderful comfort food classic. The combination of cheesy, creamy ranch sauce with potatoes and sausage creates a satisfying and unforgettable meal.​​

How to Make Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

To make this dish, you’ll start by preparing the potatoes and sausage. The sausage is typically sliced and browned in a skillet to enhance its flavor. The potatoes are boiled until just tender, then combined with the sausage in a baking dish. A creamy cheese sauce, often made with a mix of cheeses and ranch seasoning, is poured over the top before baking the dish until it’s bubbly and golden.​​

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs of baby potatoes, quartered​
• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced​
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese​
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing or 1 packet of ranch seasoning mix​
• 1/4 cup milk​
• 4 tablespoons butter​
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour​
• 2 cups half-and-half or milk​
• Salt and pepper to taste​
• Optional: 2 sliced bell peppers and 1 diced onion​
• Optional garnish: fresh parsley​

Directions

1. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).​
2. Place the quartered potatoes in a pot of salted water, bring to a boil, and cook until just tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will bake more in the oven. Drain the potatoes well.​
3. While the potatoes are boiling, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until it is browned and crispy.​
4. Remove the sausage from the skillet and place it in the prepared baking dish along with the drained potatoes. If using, you can also sauté sliced bell peppers and diced onion with the sausage.​
5. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.​
6. Gradually whisk in the half-and-half or milk until the sauce is smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and add garlic powder.​
7. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheese until melted. If you are using a ranch seasoning packet, you can add it here. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.​​
8. Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes and sausage in the baking dish. Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top.​
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown. Let it cool slightly before serving.​​

How to Serve Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

This dish can be served as a main course or as a hearty side dish. It is delicious on its own, hot from the oven. For a touch of color and fresh flavor, you can garnish it with a little bit of chopped fresh parsley before serving.​​

How to Store Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature. You can then cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Tips to Make Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

For the best flavor, brown the sausage in a skillet before adding it to the baking dish; this step adds a nice crispy texture and deeper taste. You can use a combination of cheeses, such as Velveeta for creaminess and sharp cheddar for a more robust cheese flavor. If you don’t have a ranch seasoning packet, you can use about 1/4 cup of prepared ranch dressing instead.​​

Variations

You can easily customize this recipe based on your preferences. For the sausage, feel free to use different types like Italian sausage, kielbasa, or a honey garlic variety. To add more vegetables, sauté sliced bell peppers and onions with the sausage. Instead of baby potatoes, you can use shredded hash browns (either frozen or refrigerated) or diced russet potatoes.​​

FAQs

What kind of potatoes are best for this recipe?
You can use various types of potatoes. The recipes suggest using baby potatoes, quartered; diced, peeled russet potatoes; or even frozen shredded hash browns for a different texture.​

Do I have to brown the sausage first?
While the smoked sausage is already cooked, browning it is recommended. This step adds a lot of flavor and a pleasant crispy texture to the sausage slices.​

Can I use ranch dressing instead of the dry seasoning packet?
Yes, if you don’t have a ranch seasoning packet, you can substitute it with prepared ranch dressing. About 1/4 cup of dressing can be used, depending on how strong you want the ranch flavor to be.​

Print