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This filling Savory Ranch Potatoes with Sausage dish brings together flavorful sausage, golden potatoes, and a velvety ranch-flavored sauce that'll make your family race to grab dinner. It's the ultimate comfort meal that basically makes itself in the slow cooker, just what you need for those hectic evenings when you want something filling and tasty.
I've whipped this up so many times for community events and family meals, and the container always returns empty. The mix of textures and tastes keeps everybody grabbing more.
Key Ingredients and Shopping Advice
- Smoked Sausage: Go for top-notch smoked sausage with good firmness - Polish kielbasa does the job wonderfully
- Bell Peppers: Look for sturdy, vibrantly colored peppers for better taste and snap
- Frozen Hash Browns: The shredded kind works greatest, let them thaw a bit before adding
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Crucial for that thick, luxurious feel - don't swap it for lighter options
- Cheddar Cheese Soup: Delivers the ideal creamy foundation
- Ranch Seasoning: Throw in the whole packet for full flavor power
- Shredded Cheese: Grate it yourself for smoother melting than bagged varieties
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Step 1: Prepare Sausage and Veggies
- - Cut sausage into 1/4-inch coins
- Slice peppers into skinny strips
- Chop onion into even chunks
- Warm up large pan over medium-high flame
- Cook until sausage turns golden and veggies soften (roughly 8-10 minutes) - Step 2: Set Up Your Crockpot
- - Spread hash browns across the crockpot bottom
- Place cooked mixture evenly on top
- Mix cream, soup, sour cream, and ranch powder in a separate bowl
- Drizzle mixture over everything
- Scatter cheese across the surface
- Stir everything together gently - Step 3: Slow Cooking Method
- - Adjust crockpot to your time preference
- High heat: Let it cook for 2 hours, stir once midway
- Low heat: Let it cook for 4 hours, stir now and then
- Make sure potatoes are soft before dishing up
My family can't get enough of the smoky sausage in this meal. My grandson always goes for the sausage bits first thing, so I've started throwing in extra just for him!
Keeping and Warming Leftovers
This meal stays good in the fridge for around 3 days. Just pop it in a sealed container and warm portions in your microwave or oven when you're ready. The dish actually tastes even better the next day as all those flavors sink in together. I usually cook twice as much just so we can enjoy it again later.
Ways to Switch It Up
You can tweak this dish to match what your family loves. Try swapping in turkey sausage for something lighter, or go with andouille sausage for some Louisiana flair. Different cheese blends work great too - I've had awesome results using pepper jack for some heat or mixing cheddar with mozzarella for that stretchy, gooey goodness.
What to Serve With It
Though this stands alone as a complete meal, I like pairing it with a fresh green salad or steamed broccoli to cut through the richness. For casual get-togethers, I just put out some crusty bread and let everyone serve themselves. It's always a crowd-pleaser at group dinners and family meals, particularly when it's cold outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can fresh potatoes replace frozen ones?
- Absolutely, just pre-cook them a bit so they soften up nicely while cooking.
- → Is there a way to make this without a crockpot?
- Yes, toss the mix in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F for an hour until bubbly.
- → What other sausages work in this dish?
- You can swap in smoked chicken, turkey, or any sausage you like.
- → How long can I keep leftovers?
- Store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days.
- → Is this okay to prep in advance?
- Sure! Get everything ready the night before and just crockpot it when needed.