Cheesy Potato Smoked Sausage

Category: Hearty Main Courses

This simple dish layers smoked sausage with creamy hash browns, tangy sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup for a rich and satisfying casserole. Cheddar provides a topping that melts beautifully, enhancing the flavors. After baking to golden perfection, add extra sausage or cheese for a bold finish. Whether served straight from the oven or reheated for the next day, it's sure to be a hit for busy weeknights or family meals.

Ranah
Updated on Sun, 17 Aug 2025 01:04:15 GMT
A hearty tray of cheesy potatoes and smoked sausage casserole. Save
A hearty tray of cheesy potatoes and smoked sausage casserole. | bakeitgood.com

This smoked sausage with cheesy potatoes is pure happiness in a dish. Creamy potatoes and smoky sausage make it the first thing my family asks for when they're craving something warm and filling. I’ve taken this to family get-togethers—no plate ever leaves with leftovers because even the pickiest eaters can’t stay away.

The first time I threw this together on a rushed evening, I couldn’t believe how easy it was and how insanely tasty each forkful turned out. Now if we're ever stuck on what to eat, this cheesy bake jumps to mind for a no-fuss comfort meal.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Smoked sausage: Thick-cut so you get a meaty bite every time. Try to pick a sausage with flecks of pepper for bonus yum.
  • Salt: Season to your liking. Kosher salt spreads flavor evenly.
  • Pepper: Grind it fresh—it adds a nice little tingle.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: The sharper, the better. Freshly grated means the smoothest gooey melt.
  • Cream of mushroom soup: Helps everything stick together. Chunky soup adds mouthfeel too.
  • Sour cream: Delivers a nice tang and smooths out the sauce.
  • Frozen shredded hash browns: Use straight from the freezer to save work. Look for plain potatoes for clean flavor.

Easy Step-by-Step

Top and Finish:
After the first baking, take out your pan. Drop the last cup of cheese all over, then layer on the sausage slices. Slide it back in until the sausage edges crisp, the cheese bubbles, and everything’s steaming hot—about 15–20 minutes.
Bake Your Mixture:
Coat a 9x13 pan with a quick swipe of oil or spray. Spread your cheesy potato mix evenly, edge to edge. Bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes. It’s ready for the next step when you see bubbles and a soft golden top.
Add Cheese and Toss:
Dump in two cups of cheddar and save the last one for later. Stir so every piece gets a blanket of cheese and there’s no dry patch hiding anywhere.
Stir Up the Creamy Stuff:
In goes your sour cream and soup to cover the potatoes. Toss pepper and a bit of salt in too. Mix until every shred’s coated nice and creamy.
Start with Potatoes:
Grab your mixing bowl and add all the frozen hash browns. If some stick, gently break them apart with a table knife.
A bubbling sausage and cheese bake in close-up. Save
A bubbling sausage and cheese bake in close-up. | bakeitgood.com

The best part? When you stick it back in for that final bake and the sausage turns golden and crisp. I’m taken right back to my grandma’s kitchen, everyone racing for that corner slice stuffed with sausage and extra melted cheese.

Storage Tips

Let it cool off until it feels close to room temp, then wrap up tight and refrigerate. It’ll stay good for about four days in the fridge. If you want to keep it longer, slice it up, wrap pieces in foil, pop them in a freezer bag, and freeze. Thaw overnight, then warm in the oven or zap in the microwave when hunger hits.

Easy Swaps

Want bigger potato bites? Use cubed potatoes instead. Swap the mushroom soup for chicken or cheddar soup if that's what you've got. Toss in some peas or broccoli if you want veggies too. Mix in Monterey Jack or Colby if cheddar’s not around.

How to Serve

Dive in while it’s piping hot, straight from the pan, as your main event. A fresh salad or tangy pickles cut through all that cheesy richness. For brunch-days, a fried or soft-boiled egg on top is perfect. If you’re throwing a party, slice into little squares for an easy-to-grab treat.

A baked dish topped with sausage and cheddar. Save
A baked dish topped with sausage and cheddar. | bakeitgood.com

Why It’s Loved

Baked dishes like this are big in the Midwest and South—cheap, filling, and built to stretch whatever you have. Smoked sausage is a weeknight hero, and with cheesy potatoes, it turns classic flavors into something craveable. I grew up seeing casseroles at every event—and this one is always the first to vanish.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can different sausages be used?

Sure! Kielbasa or turkey sausage both taste great and give the meal their own twist.

→ Do I need to defrost the hash browns?

Yes, getting rid of clumps by thawing lets them cook evenly and faster.

→ What cheese works best?

Cheddar is a classic for its taste and melt, but Colby or Monterey Jack can work, too.

→ Can I put this together early?

Definitely. Assemble everything, store in the fridge, and bake it fresh when you're ready to eat.

→ How do I warm up extras?

You can pop it in the oven at 350ºF until warm, or use the microwave for a quicker fix.

→ Can I freeze my leftovers?

For sure! Wrap tightly, freeze, and bake straight from frozen or thaw overnight for better results.

Cheesy Potato Smoked Sausage

Creamy potatoes baked with melted cheese and slices of smoked sausage for a cozy and tasty meal.

Prep Time
12 min
Cooking Time
50 min
Total Time
62 min
By: Seham

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Skill Level: Medium

Cuisine Style: American

Output: 8 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 26-ounce pack of frozen shredded hash browns
02 1 pound smoked sausage, chopped into slices
03 1 cup of sour cream
04 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, split into 2 portions
05 10.5 ounces of condensed cream of mushroom soup
06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 Optional: 1 teaspoon of salt for extra flavor

Steps

Step 01

Dump the frozen hash browns into a large mixing bowl and spread them out.

Step 02

Pour sour cream and mushroom soup over the potatoes, then sprinkle in the salt and pepper. Stir until it all looks evenly mixed.

Step 03

Add 2 cups of cheddar cheese into the potato mixture and mix thoroughly.

Step 04

Press the combined mixture into a greased 9x13 pan, spreading it out evenly.

Step 05

Pop the pan into an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 35 minutes.

Step 06

Lay the sliced sausage on top of the baked layer, then sprinkle the last cup of cheese over it.

Step 07

Put it back in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes, just until the sausage is heated and the cheese is bubbling.

Notes and Tips

  1. Break up any clumps in the frozen hash browns while still frozen so they cook evenly. You can use a butter knife to separate them.
  2. Use a mixing bowl that’s big enough for everything to avoid spilling while stirring.
  3. The portion sizes can be reduced by using a smaller dish and less baking time if you're cooking for fewer people.
  4. Got leftover cubed cheese? Toss those in instead of shredded cheese!
  5. Cut the sausage slices as thin or thick as you like—it’s up to you.
  6. This dish freezes well and reheats quickly, making it great for meal prep during busy weeks.

Required Tools

  • 9x13 Dish for Baking
  • Flexible Spatula
  • Standard Measuring Tools

Allergy Information

Double-check all ingredients for allergen risks, and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream)
  • Check for gluten in cream of mushroom soup unless labeled gluten-free

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This data is for informational purposes and should not replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 455
  • Fats: 36 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Proteins: 21 g