Description
Cheesy ranch potatoes and sausage deliver comfort straight from hearty Midwestern kitchens. Crispy potato edges, zesty ranch seasoning, and juicy sausage links create a satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 regular size bag of frozen shredded hash browns
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheese
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup
Seasoning:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and caramelize the smoked sausage with bell peppers and onions, releasing their rich aromatics and developing a golden-brown exterior.
- Transfer the sautéed mixture into a slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Add frozen hash browns to the crockpot, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Pour heavy whipping cream, cheddar cheese soup, and sour cream into the slow cooker, creating a luxurious and creamy foundation.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning packet across the ingredients, infusing the dish with tangy and herbaceous notes.
- Generously incorporate shredded cheese, which will melt and bind the components together during cooking.
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients until they are uniformly combined, guaranteeing balanced flavor in every bite.
- Cover the crockpot and set to high heat for 2 hours or low heat for 4 hours, allowing the potatoes to become tender and the cheese to transform into a velvety sauce.
- After cooking, gently stir the mixture to integrate the melted cheese and ensure consistent texture.
- Serve piping hot, presenting a comforting one-pot meal that marries smoky sausage with creamy, zesty elements.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by sautéing sausage and vegetables before adding to crockpot for deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Customize protein by swapping smoked sausage with chicken, turkey sausage, or vegetarian alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and low-sodium ranch seasoning for healthier version.
- Prevent sticking by lightly spraying crockpot with cooking spray or using a crockpot liner for easier cleanup and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg