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Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage baked together on a white plate, topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs.
Daniel

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage

Creamy, cheesy potatoes loaded with smoky sausage and bold ranch flavor - a one-skillet comfort food dinner that comes together in under an hour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes, no need to peel
  • 14 oz smoked sausage such as kielbasa or andouille, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 oz ranch seasoning mix 1 packet, or 3 tablespoons homemade
  • 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Prep
  1. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels. Slice sausage into rounds. Dice onion and mince garlic. Shred cheese if not pre-shredded.
Cook
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook 4-5 minutes until browned on both sides, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add potatoes, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  3. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15-18 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart. Most of the liquid should be absorbed.
  4. Stir in heavy cream and 1.5 cups shredded cheddar until melted and creamy. Fold in the browned sausage. Taste and add salt if needed - the ranch seasoning is fairly salty.
  5. Preheat broiler to high. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly over the top. Broil 2-3 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  6. Let rest 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve directly from the skillet.

Notes

For extra crispy potatoes, par-roast them at 425F for 15 minutes before adding to the skillet. Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream if you want it lighter, though the sauce will be less rich. This reheats beautifully - store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and warm gently with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.