Cheesy Sausage and Potato Skillet (Printable)

Golden potatoes and savory sausage topped with melted cheddar in this easy one-pan skillet bake.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

→ Vegetables

02 - 1.75 lbs Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)

→ Dairy

07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Spices & Pantry

10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add butter, then sauté onions and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add diced potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until potatoes begin to soften and edges are golden.
05 - Return sausage to the skillet. Add milk and half the cheese; stir well to combine.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
07 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
08 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, including the oven finish, which means less cleanup and more time on the couch
  • The combination of smoked sausage, golden potatoes, and melted cheddar hits that perfect spot between homey and satisfying
02 -
  • Dont skip par cooking the potatoes on the stovetop, or they will still be firm when the cheese is already burned and bubbling
  • An oven safe skillet is non negotiable here, unless you want to dirty a baking dish and ruin that one pan magic
03 -
  • Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly and makes serving easier
  • Use a well seasoned cast iron skillet if you have one, because it develops the best potato crust