Description
Comfort meets Polish-American cuisine in this hearty Kielbasa Sausage Cheesy Potato Casserole, blending smoky sausage with creamy potatoes. Rich layers of melted cheese and savory kielbasa create a satisfying meal you’ll crave during chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 6 large potatoes, diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the kielbasa sausage over medium-high heat until edges are crispy and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- Wash and dice potatoes into uniform cubes, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together heavy cream, sour cream, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well-combined.
- Layer half of the diced potatoes in the prepared baking dish, followed by a generous layer of browned kielbasa sausage.
- Pour half of the cream mixture over the first layer, ensuring even distribution and allowing the sauce to seep between potato and sausage pieces.
- Sprinkle a substantial amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the first layer, creating a rich and gooey foundation.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, kielbasa, cream mixture, and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, ensuring potatoes become tender and flavors meld together.
- Remove foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to become golden and slightly crispy on top.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the sauce to set and flavors to intensify before serving.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly crispy kielbasa by ensuring the skillet is hot before adding sausage, creating delicious caramelized edges that boost overall flavor.
- Prevent potato discoloration by rinsing diced potatoes in cold water and patting completely dry before layering, which helps maintain a beautiful appearance and crisp texture.
- Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with low-fat milk or non-dairy alternatives, and using plant-based cheese for a lighter or lactose-free version.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by preparing the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating, allowing flavors to develop further and reducing day-of cooking stress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg