Name: Hearty Kielbasa Sausage Cheesy Potato Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: Main Ingredients:; 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes; 1 lb smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds; 1 yellow onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups chicken broth; Dairy & Flavor Boosters:; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup sour cream; Seasonings & Aromatics:; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp salt (or to taste); 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste); Finishing Touches:; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Description

Kielbasa sausage cheesy potato casserole is your ultimate comfort food! Hearty kielbasa, gooey cheese, & tender potatoes for an easy family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:
2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1 lb smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
Dairy & Flavor Boosters:
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, divided
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings & Aromatics:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Finishing Touches:
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

Prep the Potatoes & Kielbasa:: First things first, get those potatoes ready. Peel and dice your Yukon Golds into about 1/2-inch cubes. You want them fairly uniform so they cook evenly. Then, slice your kielbasa into nice, thick rounds – about 1/4 inch. I usually just eyeball it, no need for perfection here! This is where I sometimes forget to salt the water when boiling the potatoes, so don’t be like me, add a good pinch of salt to the water before they go in. It makes a difference, trust me.
Sauté the Aromatics & Sausage:: In a large, oven-safe skillet (my trusty cast iron is perfect for this kielbasa sausage cheesy potato casserole!), melt a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and cook until it’s softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant – don’t let it burn, hon! Now, add your sliced kielbasa and let it brown up a bit. This step is key for developing that rich, savory flavor. I once rushed this, and the sausage just didn’t have that lovely crisp edge.
Make the Cheesy Sauce:: Once the kielbasa has a nice sear, push everything to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining butter to the empty side, let it melt, then sprinkle in about a tablespoon of flour. Whisk it into the butter for a minute to create a roux, then slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Let it simmer, stirring constantly, until it starts to thicken. This is where the magic happens, the sauce thickening up, smelling so good! Add the cream cheese and stir until it’s completely melted and smooth. Then, stir in about half of your sharp cheddar, the smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Taste it! Adjust seasonings if needed. It should be creamy and oh-so-flavorful.
Combine & Bake the Cheesy Potato Casserole:: Now for the main event! Gently fold your cooked potatoes into the cheesy sauce with the kielbasa and onions. Make sure everything is well coated. I usually give it a good stir, making sure all those potato bits are swimming in that delicious sauce. If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish now. Sprinkle the remaining sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the kielbasa sausage cheesy potato casserole. I love piling on a little extra cheese here, because, why not? It’s going to get all bubbly and golden.
Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop that skillet or baking dish into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that glorious, bubbly cheese on top to be melted and slightly golden brown. Sometimes, I even switch on the broiler for a minute or two at the very end to get those extra crispy, cheesy bits – just watch it like a hawk, because things go from golden to burnt in a flash! This is where the kitchen chaos sometimes happens, I’ve almost burned the cheese more times than I can count.
Rest & Serve:: Once it’s out of the oven, let your kielbasa sausage cheesy potato casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes. This helps the sauce set up a bit and prevents it from being too runny when you scoop it out. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy, or just dig right in! The smell alone is enough to get everyone running to the table. It should look bubbly, golden, and incredibly inviting.