Sizzling Smoky Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage Recipe

My favorite weeknight smoky ranch potatoes and smoked sausage recipe brings bold flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort.

Casual cooking meets serious satisfaction in this one-pan wonder.

Hearty ingredients combine to create a meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Rustic potatoes absorb tangy ranch seasoning while crispy sausage adds irresistible smoky notes.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious solutions, and this recipe delivers perfectly.

Home cooks can whip up this comforting dish in under an hour with just a few ingredients.

You’ll want to make this crowd-pleasing meal again and again.

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes With Smoked Sausage Perfection

• Simplify Weeknight Dinners: This one-pan wonder transforms ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering meal with minimal prep and cleanup.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Packed with hearty smoked sausage, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese, this dish satisfies everyone from kids to adults.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra veggies to make the recipe your own, perfect for using up whatever's in the fridge.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Even beginner cooks can nail this recipe with straightforward steps and basic kitchen techniques that guarantee delicious results.

Key Ingredients To Make Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

• Smoked Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the dish.

• Potato, Onion, Garlic: Hearty vegetables that provide texture and aromatic base for the recipe.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a bright, mild onion flavor to the finished dish.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and creates a creamy texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, cohesive mixture.
• Ranch Dressing Mix: Provides a tangy, herbal seasoning profile to the entire dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the recipe.
• Aluminum Foil: Used for covering the baking dish during initial cooking stage.

Step-By-Step Guide To Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) to get ready for some delicious cooking magic.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Grab a large skillet and cook those smoked sausage slices over medium heat until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color and release their irresistible aroma.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until they become soft and release their sweet, fragrant essence.

Step 4: Mix Flavor Explosion

• Diced potatoes
• Cooked sausage slices
• Sautéed onions and garlic
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Ranch dressing mix
• Whole milk
• Melted butter

Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the mouthwatering mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly for perfect cooking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes.

Then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top for a fresh, zesty finish.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone dive in!

Tips To Boost Cheesy Ranch Potatoes And Sausage

• Cut smoked sausage into even, bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and better distribution throughout the dish.
• Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch and prevent discoloration before mixing with other ingredients.
• Use fresh ranch dressing mix instead of pre-packaged for a more vibrant and authentic taste profile that elevates the entire casserole.
• Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top during the last 15 minutes of baking for a perfectly golden, crispy cheese crust.
• Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk, and use turkey sausage for a lighter version that still delivers amazing flavor.

Fun Twists To Try On Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

• Vegetarian Potato Bake: Replace smoked sausage with plant-based sausage or roasted chickpeas, maintaining the cheesy ranch flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets, keeping the same seasoning and cheese components for a lighter meal.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chiles, swap ranch mix for taco seasoning, and use pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-style casserole.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Ensure ranch mix is gluten-free, use gluten-free sausage, and verify all ingredients meet dietary restrictions while preserving the original recipe's core flavors.

Pairing Ideas That Match Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

Select a robust Syrah or Zinfandel to complement the rich, smoky sausage and creamy cheese flavors.

Create a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the dish’s heaviness and provide a refreshing contrast.

Choose a cold American amber ale or craft lager that cuts through the richness and matches the hearty potato casserole.

Prepare a zesty coleslaw with apple cider vinegar dressing to add brightness and crunch alongside the creamy potato dish.

Storing Cheesy Ranch Potatoes To Keep Them Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of milk to maintain moisture and prevent potatoes from becoming tough.

FAQs

• Why use ranch dressing mix in this recipe?

Ranch dressing mix adds a tangy, herby flavor that enhances the overall taste of the potatoes and sausage, creating a more complex and exciting dish without extra complicated ingredients.

• Can I use different types of sausage?

Absolutely! Smoked sausage works great, but you can substitute with kielbasa, andouille, or even chorizo to change up the flavor profile and match your taste preferences.

• How do I know when the potatoes are fully cooked?

The potatoes are done when they’re fork-tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. The top should also be golden brown and slightly crispy around the edges, indicating they’re perfectly baked.

Smoky Ranch Potatoes And Smoked Sausage Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ranch-seasoned “smoky ranch potatoes and smoked sausage” deliver hearty comfort with bold southwestern flavors. Crispy potato wedges and savory sausage create a quick, satisfying meal that will energize your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds potatoes (diced)
• 1 pound smoked sausage (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 onion (finely diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium flame and sear smoked sausage slices until they develop a rich, caramelized exterior. Transfer browned sausage to a plate.
3. In the same skillet with residual sausage drippings, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they become soft and release their aromatic essence.
4. Combine diced potatoes, browned sausage, sautéed aromatics, shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, milk, and melted butter in a spacious mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, gently folding ingredients to distribute flavors evenly.
5. Grease a baking dish thoroughly and transfer the potato mixture, spreading it uniformly to ensure consistent cooking.
6. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until potatoes reach desired tenderness and the surface turns golden and crispy.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions across the top, adding a vibrant burst of color and flavor. Serve piping hot directly from the oven.

Notes

• Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast iron pan to prevent sticking and achieve better sausage browning.
• Cut potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk and use reduced-fat cheese without compromising flavor.
• Experiment with different sausage varieties like spicy andouille or mild turkey sausage to customize the dish’s taste profile.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 357 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg