Name: Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs Yellow Potatoes, sliced into thin rounds (skin-on or peeled, your choice); 1 tbsp Chicken Flavored Bouillon; 14 oz Package of Smoked Sausage, sliced; 1 Yellow Onion, diced; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper; 1 tbsp Neutral Oil (avocado or canola); 2 tbsp Bacon Grease (or oil or butter); 1 tbsp All Purpose Seasoning (e.g., "The Usual" from Fire and Smoke Society); 4 oz Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar (or any cheese you like)

If you’ve ever found yourself craving a meal that’s comforting, hearty, and downright delicious, this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe will quickly become one of your go-tos. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with amazing aromas and delivers on all fronts-crispy golden potatoes, smoky sausage bites, and gooey melted cheese that pulls apart with every forkful. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll understand why I reach for this skillet anytime I want something simple but spectacular.

This recipe works beautifully as a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend lunch when you want to indulge without a ton of fuss. What makes this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe truly special is how the flavors meld together with surprisingly little effort, and it s all done in one pan. Plus, you can customize it to your liking, making it a flexible favorite you ll return to again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup so much easier and dinner stress-free.
Comfort Food Classics Combined: Crispy potatoes, smoky sausage, and melty cheese come together for maximum flavor and satisfaction.
Versatile and Customizable: You can swap meats, cheeses, or add veggies to tailor it exactly to your taste-perfect for meal creativity.
Family-Friendly: It s a meal that kids and adults both enjoy, making it perfect for busy households.

A close-up view of a white pan filled with a cooked dish that has round slices of browned sausage mixed with soft, golden-brown potato slices and topped with melted, bright yellow cheese. The cheese is gooey and drapes over the sausage and potatoes in thick layers, creating a shiny texture. A silver spatula lifts a portion of the mix showing the sausage and potato pieces covered in cheese with some cheese strands stretching back down to the pan. The background shows a white marbled surface beneath the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 6.1

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe plays an essential role, and I like to choose quality stuff-especially smoked sausage and fresh cheese-for the best flavor. And a little tip: using skin-on potatoes adds a lovely texture, but feel free to peel if that’s your preference.

Yellow Potatoes: I like them sliced thin for a quick cook time and crispiness; their flavor holds up great in the skillet.
Chicken Flavored Bouillon: Adds a subtle savory boost to the boiling water, making the potatoes more flavorful from the start.
Smoked Sausage: The star protein-choose your favorite brand or type; I often go with kielbasa or classic smoked sausage.
Yellow Onion: Caramelizing these brings a touch of sweetness that balances the smoky sausage beautifully.
Garlic Powder: A simple seasoning that deepens flavor without overpowering the dish.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground if possible, for the best kick and aroma.
Neutral Oil: Avocado or canola oil is perfect for cooking without affecting the sausage flavor.
Bacon Grease: Adds richness and an extra smoky layer-if you don t have bacon grease, butter or oil works fine too.
All Purpose Seasoning: I use “The Usual” from Fire and Smoke Society, but any blend you like will enhance the potatoes.
Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar: Sharp cheddar melts wonderfully and adds that cheesy punch we all crave.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe my own by switching up ingredients depending on what s in my fridge or my mood. Feel free to get creative-you really can t go wrong here!

Add Bell Peppers: I often toss in sliced red or green peppers with the onions to add a pop of color and sweet crunch that brightens the dish.
Try Different Sausages: I ve made it with turkey, beef, and even plant-based sausage, and each variation gave the skillet a unique twist.
Swap the Cheese: Pepper jack adds lovely heat, Monterey Jack gives a creamy texture, and gouda lends a smoky depth if you want to mix things up.
Go Low-Sodium: If you re watching salt, try skipping the bouillon or using a lower-sodium sausage to keep flavors balanced.

How to Make Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Parboil the Potatoes to Start

First things first, bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in your chicken bouillon-that s a little secret for boosting your potato s flavor from the inside out. Add the thinly sliced potatoes and boil for about 5 minutes until they re just tender but not falling apart. This step will save you time later and help your potatoes cook evenly in the skillet without getting mushy.

Step 2: Brown the Smoked Sausage and Caramelize the Onions

While your potatoes are boiling, heat a tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the sliced smoked sausage and diced onions, then cook until the sausage has those nice browned edges and the onions soften and get a gentle caramelized sweetness. This usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes and adds so much flavor complexity to the dish. Once done, scoop them out and set aside-they ll reunite with the potatoes soon.

Step 3: Crisp Up the Potatoes in Bacon Grease

Now, melt your bacon grease in the same skillet-you can use butter or extra oil if you don t have bacon grease handy, but I promise bacon grease amps up the flavor like nothing else. Add the parboiled potatoes and sprinkle with your favorite all-purpose seasoning. Here s where patience pays off: let those potatoes cook, stirring only occasionally, for about 20 minutes until they develop golden, crispy edges. Don t rush this bit; the crispy bits are what take this dish from good to unforgettable.

Step 4: Bring It All Together and Melt the Cheese

Once your potatoes are perfectly crispy, add back the browned sausage and caramelized onions to the skillet. Give everything a gentle stir to combine flavors. Then, sprinkle the freshly grated sharp cheddar over the top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the cheese melt for a few minutes. Look for that luscious, gooey blanket of cheese and prepare yourself for the best part-digging in!

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Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

Don t Overcrowd the Skillet: If your pan s too full, the potatoes will steam instead of crisp, so cook in batches or use a large pan for best results.
Use Thin Potato Slices: Thin rounds cook faster and get that perfect crispy texture without turning to mush.
Let the Cheese Melt Covered: Covering the pan traps heat and moisture, helping the cheese become perfectly gooey without drying out.
Keep an Eye on the Heat: Medium heat prevents burning the potatoes or sausage while allowing everything to cook thoroughly and evenly.

How to Serve Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a serving of cheesy potato and sausage bake with melted cheddar cheese on top. There are slices of browned sausage mixed with golden-brown cooked potatoes, and the cheese looks melted and slightly crispy in some spots. Next to the bake is a pile of green beans with small pieces of bacon, dark green and shiny. A slice of buttered white bread sits on the side of the plate. A silver fork lifts a bite of the bake, showing a thick slice of cheesy potato and a few sausage pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 6.1

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a burst of color and fresh flavor. A dollop of sour cream on the side adds a tangy creamy contrast that pairs beautifully with the smoky sausage and cheese.

Side Dishes

Since this skillet is filling on its own, I like to keep sides light. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette works wonderfully. For something heartier, steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts complement the cheesy smoked sausage and potatoes without overwhelming it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I ve served this recipe in individual cast-iron skillets-everyone loves the personal touch and the cheese stays perfectly melty. Another fun idea is to turn it into a brunch dish topped with a fried egg or two for extra richness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Because the potatoes can soften, I usually re-crisp them in a skillet over medium heat before serving to bring back that wonderful texture.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well! Just let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. When you re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, covering it briefly to gently warm through and melt the cheese again. Microwaving works too, but you might lose some of that crispiness we all crave.

FAQs

Can I use frozen potatoes for this recipe?

You can use frozen sliced potatoes, but keep in mind they may release extra moisture, which might prevent the potatoes from crisping up as well. If you do, try patting them dry first and adjust cooking time accordingly.
What type of smoked sausage is best for this skillet?

I personally prefer kielbasa or smoked Polish sausage for their robust flavor and good texture, but you re welcome to use turkey, beef, or even plant-based sausage depending on your preference.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply swap the sausage for your favorite plant-based sausage or add hearty veggies like mushrooms and bell peppers to keep the dish filling and flavorful.
How do I get the potatoes extra crispy?

Make sure to boil the potatoes just until tender, dry them well before adding to the pan, and avoid stirring too often during cooking. Using bacon grease helps, and cooking over medium heat allows for a golden crust without burning.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it s proof you don t need fancy ingredients or complicated steps to make incredible comfort food. It s perfect for those days when you want something warm, filling, and downright tasty without any fuss. I hope you give it a try and find it as satisfying and versatile as I do-because once you do, it s likely to become a kitchen staple you ll lean on time and time again.