Au Gratin Sausage Skillet

Cheesy, hearty and packed with meat and vegetables, this creamy dish comes together in under an hour. This simple dinner of scalloped potatoes and sausage tastes anything but boring. Smoky, creamy and cheesy, the one-skillet-dinner feeds the whole family with minimal clean-up. Top it with an extra handful of cheddar cheese for a creamy, tangy topping that’s hard to resist.

Scalloped Potatoes and Sausage Ingredients

• Smoked kielbasa: This smoked sausage is packed with flavor from ingredients such as garlic, cloves, pimento and marjoram, and it’s typically sold fully cooked.
• Packaged au gratin potatoes: This impressive side dish comes preseasoned and prepackaged, so it’s a quick ingredient to add to hearty dinner recipes such as this one.
• Frozen California-blend vegetables: Frozen vegetables cook quickly, so they’re excellent when you’re short on time but want to add nutrients to your meal. This blend typically contains broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.
• Cheddar cheese: We sprinkle the top of this dish with cheese for a creamy texture and tangy flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the sausage and cook the potatoes

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

In a large skillet, cook the sausage in oil until it’s lightly browned, then drain. Add the potatoes with the contents of the sauce mix and water. Cover it and cook over medium heat for 18 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are almost tender, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Add the vegetables and melt the cheese

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Add the vegetables, then cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the potatoes and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and remove from the heat. Then cover and let it stand for two minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Scalloped Potatoes and Sausage Variations

• Try another type of sausage:  If you can’t find kielbasa, you can easily use a different sausage here, such as spicy or sweet Italian. However, not all sausages are precooked, as kielbasa is. Whichever one you choose, be sure that it’s fully cooked in the pan before serving.
• Add caramelized onions: This is a savory, smoky dish, so adding a sweet component is a great way to balance it. If you’re a fan of caramelized onions, this scalloped potatoes and sausage recipe is a great place to use them. First, caramelize your onions in a pan (using this recipe), then add them to the pan in step two.

How to Store Scalloped Potatoes and Sausage

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

This dish is easy to store in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature after cooking, then transfer any leftovers to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for three to five days.

Can you make scalloped potatoes and sausage ahead of time? 

You can certainly make this dish in advance and store it in the refrigerator. However, it should be eaten within a day or two to best enjoy the fresh flavors and textures. If you’d like to make this dish the night before serving, prepare it to completion, then let it come down to room temperature before covering it and placing it in the refrigerator overnight.

What’s the difference between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes?

Traditionally, scalloped potatoes are made with just a cream sauce, while au gratin potatoes are made with a cream sauce and cheese. The cheese in au gratin potatoes can either be mixed into the cream sauce, layered between the potato slices or sprinkled on top.

What can I serve with this dish?

This is a hearty meal that can taste a little heavy, so it’s a good idea to serve it with something light such as a salad. You can also serve it with extra protein such as simple roasted chicken or grilled pork chops.

Can I make this dish with fresh au gratin potatoes rather than store-bought?

You can absolutely replicate this dish with homemade au gratin potatoes. If you have extra time to prep, use this recipe, then incorporate the potatoes as indicated in the recipe above.