Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Sausage

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the flavors of creamy cheese, savory ranch seasoning, and smoky sausage. This delicious one-pan meal is easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for a busy weeknight or a weekend family gathering. The crispy potatoes, tender smoked sausage, and melty cheese come together in a savory symphony that the whole family will enjoy.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage recipe is a fan favorite for many reasons:

• Savory and Flavorful: The combination of smoked sausage, ranch seasoning, and cheesy potatoes creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that everyone will enjoy.
• One-Pan Meal: This recipe is simple and requires only one pan, making clean-up a breeze while saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
• Comforting and Filling: The creamy cheese and hearty potatoes make for a satisfying and filling dish, perfect for a cozy dinner.
• Quick and Easy: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious, comforting meal on the table in about an hour.
• Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, types of cheese, or even different sausages to make the dish your own.

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage (halal-certified, no pork)
• 4 cups baby potatoes, halved or quartered
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (halal-certified)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of your favorite cheeses)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the potatoes will roast nicely and get crispy around the edges.
2. Prep the Potatoes: Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half or quarters, depending on their size. This helps them cook more evenly and quickly.
3. Slice the Smoked Sausage: Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch thick rounds. This allows the sausage to cook through and infuse its smoky flavor into the potatoes.
4. Combine the Seasonings: In a small bowl, mix together the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
5. Coat the Potatoes: Place the halved potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with half of the ranch seasoning mixture. Toss the potatoes until they are evenly coated.
6. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
7. Spread the Potatoes: Evenly spread the seasoned potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded so they can roast evenly.
8. Add the Sausage: Scatter the sliced smoked sausage pieces over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly distributed across the pan.
9. Roast in the Oven: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and tender. Stir halfway through to ensure even cooking.
10. Add the Cheese: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes and sausage. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Garnish and Serve: Once the cheese is melted, remove the dish from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and serve hot with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

• Sausage Selection: You can try different types of halal sausages, such as turkey sausage or beef sausage, to suit your personal taste preferences.
• Extra Crispy: For even crispier potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces and increase the oven temperature slightly, but keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
• Uniform Slicing: Try to slice your sausage rounds and potato pieces into uniform sizes so that everything finishes cooking at the exact same time.
• Season to Taste: If you love a little heat, add some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the dry seasoning mix for an extra kick.

Variations & Substitutions

• Vegetarian Version: Swap the smoked sausage for veggie sausage or add extra vegetables like mushrooms, corn, or broccoli for a plant-based option.
• BBQ Ranch Potatoes: Mix in a little BBQ sauce with the ranch seasoning for a smoky, tangy flavor profile.
• Keto Version: Use cauliflower florets instead of potatoes to create a low-carb version of the dish while keeping all the cheesy goodness.
• Mexican-Inspired: Add taco seasoning, black beans, and corn to the mix for a delicious Tex-Mex version of this dish.
• Loaded Cheesy Potatoes: Top the baked potatoes and sausage with crumbled halal beef bacon, green onions, and extra sour cream.

Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage dish is hearty enough to be served as a standalone main course. However, it also pairs beautifully with a fresh green side salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the cheese and sausage. For a larger family gathering, you can serve it as a side dish alongside roasted vegetables or corn on the cob. It also makes for an excellent meal prep option, as it tastes just as good the next day.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen the next day, making it a great lunch option.

Freezing: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. To enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating: To maintain the best texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes. You can also use a microwave in 1-minute intervals until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are hot throughout.

Nutrition Information

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the flavors of creamy cheese, savory ranch seasoning, and smoky sausage. This delicious one-pan meal is easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for a busy weeknight.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound smoked sausage halal-certified, no pork
• 4 cups baby potatoes halved or quartered
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix halal-certified
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream optional, for serving
• fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half or quarters, depending on their size.
   4 cups baby potatoes
3. Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
   1 pound smoked sausage
4. In a small bowl, mix together the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
   1 packet ranch seasoning mix, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5. Place the halved potatoes in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with half of the ranch seasoning mixture, and toss to coat.
   2 tablespoons olive oil
6. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
7. Evenly spread the seasoned potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer.
8. Scatter the sliced smoked sausage pieces over the potatoes.
9. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown and tender, stirring halfway through.
10. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes and sausage, then return to oven for 5 minutes until melted.
    1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
11. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with sour cream if desired.
    1/2 cup sour cream, fresh parsley

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For even crispier potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces and ensure they are thoroughly dried before seasoning.

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