Description
Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Sausage is a comforting crockpot casserole featuring tender shredded hash browns cooked with smoked sausage, colorful bell peppers, and onions in a creamy, cheesy ranch-flavored sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for easy weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (any color)
- 1 onion, diced
Potatoes and Dairy
- 1 regular size bag of frozen shredded hash browns (about 20 oz)
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup (about 10.5 oz)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
Seasoning
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Sauté sausage and vegetables: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the sliced smoked sausage, bell peppers, and diced onion until they are slightly browned and aromatic, about 5-7 minutes. This step is optional but recommended for enhanced flavor.
- Transfer to crockpot: Move the sautéed sausage and vegetable mixture into your crockpot to prepare for slow cooking.
- Add potatoes and dairy: Add the frozen shredded hash browns, heavy whipping cream, cheddar cheese soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheese into the crockpot on top of the sausage mixture.
- Combine ingredients: Stir everything well in the crockpot to combine all the ingredients evenly for consistent flavor throughout.
- Cook in crockpot: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the cheese has melted into a creamy, cohesive sauce.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the mixture well to distribute ingredients evenly and enjoy this warm, cheesy ranch potato and sausage casserole.
Notes
- Sautéing the sausage and vegetables before adding to the crockpot boosts flavor but can be skipped for quicker prep.
- You can use any color bell peppers according to your preference or availability.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes along with the ranch seasoning.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
- Feel free to substitute the smoked sausage with chicken sausage or another protein of your choice.
