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This filling Savory Ranch Potatoes with Sausage dish brings together flavorful sausage, crunchy potatoes, and a rich ranch cheese sauce that'll make your family race to grab a plate. It's the best kind of comfort cooking that basically makes itself in your slow cooker, just what you need on busy nights when you want something filling and tasty.
I've whipped this up so many times for community events and family dinners, and the pot always ends up scraped clean. Everyone keeps going back for more because the mix of soft and crunchy bits tastes so good together.
Key Ingredients and Shopping Advice
- Smoked Sausage: Go for good quality smoked sausage with a firm feel - Polish kielbasa does the job really well
- Bell Peppers: Look for firm ones with bright colors for better taste and snap
- Frozen Hash Browns: The shredded kind works better, let them thaw a bit first
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This makes everything rich and creamy - don't try to use lighter options
- Cheddar Cheese Soup: Gives you that perfect smooth base
- Ranch Seasoning: Use the whole packet to get all that flavor
- Shredded Cheese: Grate it yourself for better melting than the bagged stuff
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
- Step 1: Ready Your Main Ingredients
- - Cut sausage into thin rounds about 1/4-inch thick
- Slice peppers into skinny strips
- Chop onion into small even pieces
- Warm up a big skillet over medium-high heat
- Cook until sausage browns and veggies turn soft (around 8-10 minutes) - Step 2: Put It All Together
- - Put hash browns on the bottom of your slow cooker
- Cover with your cooked mixture evenly
- Mix cream, soup, sour cream, and ranch powder in a separate bowl
- Dump this sauce over everything
- Add cheese on top
- Stir everything together lightly - Step 3: Let It Cook
- - Pick your slow cooker setting
- For high heat: Cook about 2 hours, stir once halfway through
- For low heat: Cook about 4 hours, stir a few times
- Make sure potatoes feel soft before you serve
My folks really go crazy for the smoky sausage pieces in this dish. My little grandson always hunts for the sausage first, so I've started throwing in extra just for him!
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
This meal stays good in your fridge for about 3 days. Just put it in a container with a tight lid and warm up smaller portions in your microwave or oven when you want it. It actually tastes even better the next day because all the flavors mix together more. I usually cook twice as much just so we can have it again later.
Ways To Switch It Up
You can totally change this dish to fit what your family likes. Try it with turkey sausage if you want something lighter, or go with andouille sausage for some Louisiana kick. Playing with different cheeses works too - I've had really good results using pepper jack for extra spice or mixing cheddar with mozzarella to get that stretchy cheese pull everyone loves.
What To Serve With It
Though this works as a full meal by itself, I like having a fresh green salad or some steamed broccoli on the side to balance out the richness. When friends come over, I just set out some crusty bread and let everyone grab food buffet-style. It never fails at group gatherings and family meetups, especially when it's cold outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap frozen potatoes for fresh ones?
- You sure can, but it's best to partially cook fresh shredded potatoes before adding them to ensure they're fully cooked.
- → Can I skip the crockpot for this meal?
- Absolutely! You can bake it in a dish at 375°F for about an hour until it's bubbly and done.
- → Can I use a different type of sausage?
- Yes, any smoked sausage, or even turkey or chicken sausage, will work fine.
- → How long can I keep the leftovers?
- Leftovers stay good for 3-4 days when kept in a sealed container in the fridge.
- → Can I prep this meal ahead?
- Totally! Get everything ready the night before and cook it in the crockpot whenever you're ready.