Description
A comforting and hearty casserole that combines savory sausage, tender potatoes, and a creamy sauce baked to golden perfection. This Creamy Sausage & Potato Bake is easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, delivering rich, cheesy flavors with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage & Meat
- 1 lb sausage (Italian or breakfast sausage), casing removed
Vegetables
- 4 cups potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Others
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole dish.
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a medium to large casserole dish with butter or oil. Layer half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Assemble Layers: Spread the cooked sausage, onion, and garlic mixture evenly over the first layer of potatoes. Then top with the remaining sliced potatoes.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Pour the heavy cream evenly over the layered potatoes and sausage. Sprinkle dried thyme, salt, and pepper across the top for flavor.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Add Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use turkey sausage for a leaner, lower-fat version of this dish.
- Add chopped bell peppers or spinach to incorporate extra vegetables and nutrients.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Thinly slice potatoes about 1/8 inch thick to ensure even cooking and proper absorption of the creamy sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
- You can freeze the bake either before or after cooking; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage alternatives and use a cream substitute.
