Cheesy Sausage Potato Skillet Bake (Printable)

Golden potatoes, smoked sausage, and melted cheddar come together in this easy one-pan skillet bake.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

→ 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
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Steps:

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 happens in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The cheese gets golden and bubbling while the potatoes turn creamy underneath
  • It feeds a crowd or leaves you with lunch for tomorrow without any extra effort
02 -
  • Cutting potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes is essential or some pieces will turn to mush while others stay underdone
  • Let the skillet come to room temperature for a few minutes before adding the milk or it might seize slightly
  • The broiler can be used for the last 2 minutes if you want extra crispy cheese spots on top
03 -
  • Cast iron skillets retain heat beautifully and create the best crispy edges on the potatoes
  • Grating cheese from a block melts more evenly than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents
  • If the skillet seems too full, the cheese might bubble over so place a baking sheet on the rack below

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