Description
Polish-inspired kielbasa sausage cheesy potato casserole brings comfort and hearty flavors to dinner tables across kitchens. Creamy potatoes, smoky kielbasa, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound smoked kielbasa sausage (sliced into bite-size pieces)
- 3 cups russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 can (284 ml) cheddar cheese soup
- 1 1/2 cups 2% milk
- 1/2 cup 33% heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for a hearty casserole.
- Generously spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Boil potato cubes in a medium pot for approximately 7 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain thoroughly and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sizzle kielbasa sausage pieces in a frying pan over medium heat until lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned sausage onto the potatoes.
- In the same pan, create a roux by combining flour and butter. Cook on medium-low heat until the mixture loses its raw flour appearance.
- Introduce minced garlic to the roux, then pour in milk, heavy cream, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the cheddar cheese soup, simmering and stirring until the sauce thickens (3-4 minutes).
- Remove from heat and fold in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth.
- Cascade the velvety cheese sauce over the potatoes and sausage, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling sauce edges.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamy, firm texture that holds up well during baking.
- Experiment with different sausage varieties like andouille, smoked chicken sausage, or turkey kielbasa for unique flavor profiles and dietary adaptations.
- Replace cheddar cheese soup with homemade cheese sauce or use a blend of cheeses like Gruyère and sharp cheddar for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets or turnips to create a lower-carbohydrate version of this comforting casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg