Cheesy Ranch Potatoes And Smoked Sausage Recipe

Picture this: a cozy evening at home, and you’re about to whip up a dish that redefines comfort food—my loaded sausage and potato bake. Packed with smoky sausage, crispy potatoes, and a cheesy ranch twist, it’s like a warm hug on a plate that you just can’t resist diving into!

I enjoy the combination of ranch potatoes with smoked sausage; it truly satisfies my taste for cheesy, hearty, and flavorful foods. And the dish couldn’t be any easier to prepare.

It’s really just all the classic components of a loaded potato—smoky sausage, sharp cheddar, and zesty ranch dressing—served up on a plate with tender red potatoes and a good amount of aromatic spice. The bite is about as irresistible as it gets.

Ingredients

• Red Potatoes: Provides carbohydrates and fiber; perfect for energy and satiety.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fats; contributes to heart health and rich flavor.
• Smoked Sausage: Protein-rich; adds a savory, smoky taste.
• Cheddar Cheese: Source of calcium and protein; provides creamy texture.
• Ranch Dressing: Creamy and tangy; complements the dish’s flavor profile.
• Chives: Adds freshness and mild onion flavor; offers vitamins A and C.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 pounds of red potatoes, washed and diced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 ounces of smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes

How to Make this

1. Your oven should be set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) to preheat. While the oven is preheating, you need to get a large baking dish or baking sheet, and lightly grease it, with olive oil, so whatever you’re cooking doesn’t stick.

2. In a big bowl, mix together the potatoes, and olive oil, and then season the mixture with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

3. Distribute the potatoes, which have been tossed with the seasonings, in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

4. Preheat the oven and bake the potatoes for around 25 minutes, or until you can tell that they are tendering, and their surfaces are beginning to crisp rather nicely.

5. Sliced smoked sausage into 1/2-inch pieces ticks off my list of things that are easy to do while the potatoes are baking.

6. Take the potatoes out of the oven and sprinkle them with the sliced sausage.

7. Put the plate back in the oven and cook for 15 more minutes, or until the sausage is nice and hot and the potatoes are crispy.

8. Shed the cheddar cheese over the potato and sausage mix; bake for 5 more minutes until the cheese melts right into the dish and starts bubbling.

9. Dressing the ranch over the top and mixing gently to coat the ingredients.

10. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired, and garnish with freshly chopped chives before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking dish or baking sheet
3. Olive oil mister or brush for greasing
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Measuring spoons
6. Mixing spoon or spatula
7. Knife
8. Cutting board
9. Cheese grater (if cheese isn’t pre-shredded)
10. Serving spoon
11. Optional: Spoon for drizzling the ranch dressing
12. Optional: Kitchen scissors for chopping chives

FAQ

• Q:Is it possible to use another kind of potato? A: It is certainly possible. You could use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes; just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to these potatoes’ firmness and size.
• Q:How can I make this dish spicier?
  A: To intensify the heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Q:What other cheese options work well?
  Opt for Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Colby cheese when seeking a different flavor profile.
• Q:Can this recipe be adapted to be vegetarian? A: Yes, you can leave out the smoked sausage and add something like smoked tofu or a plant-based sausage alternative.
• Q:How do I ensure the potatoes cook evenly?
  A: Cube the potatoes and put them in the baking dish in a single layer. Uniform pieces and adequate space are essential for enhanced cooking.
• Q:Can this dish be made beforehand? A: Yes, you can gather the components and put this togethery before serving. __Add__ cheese and ranch dressing __just before baking.__
• Q:What can I serve this dish with?
  A: Team it with a crisp salad or simply steamed green vegetables and call it dinner.

Cheesy Ranch Potatoes And Smoked Sausage Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 tablespoon of olive oil can be substituted with 1 tablespoon of melted butter or vegetable oil.
You can substitute 12 ounces of smoked sausage with kielbasa or cooked chicken breast.
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese may be replaced with shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese.
Caesar dressing or blue cheese dressing could be used in place of ranch dressing, and would give a different flavor to the dish.
Green onions or parsley can be used to replace 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh chives with very similar results, making a fresh garnish that is still fresh and very much a garnish.

Pro Tips

1. Parboil Potatoes for Even Cooking Before baking, try parboiling the diced potatoes for about 5 minutes. This step can help ensure the potatoes are cooked evenly and have a fluffy interior while still achieving a crispy exterior.

2. Use a Preheated Baking Sheet Preheat the baking sheet in the oven as it preheats. Adding the seasoned potatoes to a hot baking sheet will help them crisp up faster.

3. Add Butter for Extra Flavor While the olive oil provides a healthy fat and great structure, adding a tablespoon of melted butter to the potato mixture can enhance the flavor and richness.

4. Mix Cheeses for Depth Instead of just using cheddar cheese, consider mixing in some mozzarella or Parmesan for extra depth of flavor and a nice gooey texture.

5. Let Rest Before Serving Once the dish is done, let it rest for a few minutes outside the oven. This helps all the flavors meld and makes the dish easier to serve and enjoy.