Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself craving a meal that’s comforting, hearty, and downright delicious, this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe will quickly become one of your go-tos. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with amazing aromas and delivers on all fronts-crispy golden potatoes, smoky sausage bites, and gooey melted cheese that pulls apart with every forkful. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll understand why I reach for this skillet anytime I want something simple but spectacular.

This recipe works beautifully as a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend lunch when you want to indulge without a ton of fuss. What makes this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe truly special is how the flavors meld together with surprisingly little effort, and it s all done in one pan. Plus, you can customize it to your liking, making it a flexible favorite you ll return to again and again.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe plays an essential role, and I like to choose quality stuff-especially smoked sausage and fresh cheese-for the best flavor. And a little tip: using skin-on potatoes adds a lovely texture, but feel free to peel if that’s your preference.

• Yellow Potatoes: I like them sliced thin for a quick cook time and crispiness; their flavor holds up great in the skillet.
• Chicken Flavored Bouillon: Adds a subtle savory boost to the boiling water, making the potatoes more flavorful from the start.
• Smoked Sausage: The star protein-choose your favorite brand or type; I often go with kielbasa or classic smoked sausage.
• Yellow Onion: Caramelizing these brings a touch of sweetness that balances the smoky sausage beautifully.
• Garlic Powder: A simple seasoning that deepens flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground if possible, for the best kick and aroma.
• Neutral Oil: Avocado or canola oil is perfect for cooking without affecting the sausage flavor.
• Bacon Grease: Adds richness and an extra smoky layer-if you don t have bacon grease, butter or oil works fine too.
• All Purpose Seasoning: I use “The Usual” from Fire and Smoke Society, but any blend you like will enhance the potatoes.
• Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar: Sharp cheddar melts wonderfully and adds that cheesy punch we all crave.

Variations

I love making this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe my own by switching up ingredients depending on what s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to get creative-you really can t go wrong here!

• Add Bell Peppers: I often toss in sliced red or green peppers with the onions to add a pop of color and sweet crunch that brightens the dish.
• Try Different Sausages: I ve made it with turkey, beef, and even plant-based sausage, and each variation gave the skillet a unique twist.
• Swap the Cheese: Pepper jack adds lovely heat, Monterey Jack gives a creamy texture, and gouda lends a smoky depth if you want to mix things up.
• Go Low-Sodium: If you re watching salt, try skipping the bouillon or using a lower-sodium sausage to keep flavors balanced.

How to Make Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Parboil the Potatoes to Start

First things first, bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in your chicken bouillon-that s a little secret for boosting your potato s flavor from the inside out. Add the thinly sliced potatoes and boil for about 5 minutes until they re just tender but not falling apart. This step will save you time later and help your potatoes cook evenly in the skillet without getting mushy.

Step 2: Brown the Smoked Sausage and Caramelize the Onions

While your potatoes are boiling, heat a tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the sliced smoked sausage and diced onions, then cook until the sausage has those nice browned edges and the onions soften and get a gentle caramelized sweetness. This usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes and adds so much flavor complexity to the dish. Once done, scoop them out and set aside-they ll reunite with the potatoes soon.

Step 3: Crisp Up the Potatoes in Bacon Grease

Now, melt your bacon grease in the same skillet-you can use butter or extra oil if you don t have bacon grease handy, but I promise bacon grease amps up the flavor like nothing else. Add the parboiled potatoes and sprinkle with your favorite all-purpose seasoning. Here s where patience pays off: let those potatoes cook, stirring only occasionally, for about 20 minutes until they develop golden, crispy edges. Don t rush this bit; the crispy bits are what take this dish from good to unforgettable.

Step 4: Bring It All Together and Melt the Cheese

Once your potatoes are perfectly crispy, add back the browned sausage and caramelized onions to the skillet. Give everything a gentle stir to combine flavors. Then, sprinkle the freshly grated sharp cheddar over the top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the cheese melt for a few minutes. Look for that luscious, gooey blanket of cheese and prepare yourself for the best part-digging in!

How to Serve Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a burst of color and fresh flavor. A dollop of sour cream on the side adds a tangy creamy contrast that pairs beautifully with the smoky sausage and cheese.

Side Dishes

Since this skillet is filling on its own, I like to keep sides light. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette works wonderfully. For something heartier, steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts complement the cheesy smoked sausage and potatoes without overwhelming it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I ve served this recipe in individual cast-iron skillets-everyone loves the personal touch and the cheese stays perfectly melty. Another fun idea is to turn it into a brunch dish topped with a fried egg or two for extra richness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Because the potatoes can soften, I usually re-crisp them in a skillet over medium heat before serving to bring back that wonderful texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well! Just let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. When you re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, covering it briefly to gently warm through and melt the cheese again. Microwaving works too, but you might lose some of that crispiness we all crave.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it s proof you don t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps to make incredible comfort food. It s perfect for those days when you want something warm, filling, and downright tasty without any fuss. I hope you give it a try and find it as satisfying and versatile as I do-because once you do, it s likely to become a kitchen staple you ll lean on time and time again.

Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 109 reviews

• Author: Lucy
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

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Description

A hearty and flavorful Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet dish combining tender boiled potatoes, caramelized smoked sausage and onions, all topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. This easy stovetop recipe makes a comforting dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes

• 2 lbs Yellow Potatoes, sliced into thin rounds (skin-on or peeled, your choice)
• 1 tbsp Chicken Flavored Bouillon

Meat & Vegetables

• 14 oz Package of Smoked Sausage, sliced
• 1 Yellow Onion, diced

Seasonings & Fats

• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp Neutral Oil (avocado or canola)
• 2 tbsp Bacon Grease (or oil or butter)
• 1 tbsp All Purpose Seasoning (e.g., “The Usual” from Fire and Smoke Society)

Cheese

• 4 oz Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar (or any cheese you like)

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Instructions

1. Boil Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in the chicken bouillon, then add the sliced potatoes. Boil for 5 minutes, just until slightly tender. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and set them aside to prepare for pan cooking.
2. Cook Sausage and Onions: While the potatoes boil, heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and diced onions. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and the onions become soft and caramelized. Transfer the sausage and onions to a plate and set aside.
3. Fry Potatoes: In the same skillet, melt the bacon grease over medium heat. Add the drained potatoes and season them evenly with your preferred all-purpose seasoning blend along with the garlic powder and black pepper. Cook the potatoes for about 20 minutes, stirring only occasionally, to allow them to develop a crispy and golden exterior while staying tender inside.
4. Combine and Melt Cheese: Once the potatoes have reached desired crispiness, return the cooked smoked sausage and onions to the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Evenly sprinkle the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese over the top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let sit for a few minutes until the cheese has fully melted and melded with the potatoes and sausage.

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Notes

• Add bell peppers such as red, green, or yellow sautéed with the onions to bring extra color and sweetness.
• Use any smoked sausage variant: turkey, kielbasa, beef, or plant-based sausage all work well.
• Swap the cheese for pepper jack for heat, Monterey Jack for creaminess, or gouda for a smoky flavor profile.
• If bacon grease is unavailable, substitute with butter or additional neutral oil, but bacon grease adds a deeper flavor.
• For a lower sodium dish, omit the chicken bouillon and choose low-sodium sausage options.