Casseroles are usually the kings and queens of one-pan dishes. Though our cheese potato and sausage casserole requires an additional frying pan and saucepan, the result will be worth the extra effort. You’re in for a cheesy, gooey, savory treat that your whole family will enjoy. This is an excellent option for days when you don’t feel like trying too hard. Just pop your ingredients in the oven and take a breather on the couch.
Once the casserole is out of the oven, prepare yourself for the ultimate comfort meal. You can share it with your loved ones or eat it all alone. Though there are rarely leftovers after such delicious meals, you can store yours in the fridge for later.
How to make Cheese Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole?
Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees.
Cut your sausage in half along the length and proceed to cut each side into half-inch pieces.
Fry in a cast iron pan for 15 minutes or until slightly brown. Turn frequently.
Place your cooked and diced potatoes in a casserole.
Mix your cooked sausage into the casserole.
In a saucepan, mix together butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, and Velveeta cheese.
Cook the mixture over medium heat to combine all the ingredients. Stir occasionally.
Pour the resulting cheese sauce over the potatoes and meat in the casserole.
Sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Sprinkle paprika over the cheddar cheese.
Bake for 35-45 minutes.
Serve while it’s hot!
Do I have to precook the sausage?
Yes, it is necessary to precook your smoked sausage for this dish. It might not have the chance to cook through in the oven, covered by so many other ingredients. Plus, pan frying the sausage beforehand gives it a nice crunch and a beautiful light brown color.
Do I have to boil the potatoes before baking them?
Yes. Because potatoes take a while to cook through, it’s much easier to work with cooked potatoes. Boiling and dicing some potatoes will not make the recipe any more difficult to execute. Quite the opposite – you’ll end up with a delicious casserole that’s completely cooked through.
Can you make a casserole without cheese?
Anything is possible! Cheese is considered one of the 5 ingredients of a classic casserole. However, if you want to skip the cheese, you can use some other binding ingredient. Double up on the sauce and add some crunch on top.