## Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake, a quintessential one-dish wonder that offers comfort and tantalizes the palate. Whether it’s served for a delightful family dinner or as a star of a potluck, it never fails to impress.
– Prep time: 15 minutes
– Bake time: 45 minutes
– Total time: 1 hour
– Servings: 4-6
## Why Make This Recipe
The Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake is a comfort food par excellence. It’s hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare, making it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners and even for special gatherings. Its creamy texture combined with the meaty flavor of sausage makes it irresistible.
## How to Make Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake
### Ingredients:
– 1 lb (450g) sausage links, sliced
– 1 1/2 lbs (680g) potatoes, diced
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 bell pepper, sliced
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
### Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and cook the sausage slices until browned. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic till they release their aroma. Add in the bell pepper and cook till it softens.
4. In a large bowl, mix the cooked sausage, diced potatoes, onion mixture, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish, pour heavy cream over it, cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
6. Remove the foil, sprinkle cheddar cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and cheese melts and turns a golden brown.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
## How to Serve Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake
This hearty bake can be served paired with a crunchy side salad or a slice of crusty bread for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
## How to Store Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a preheated oven until heated thoroughly.
## Tips to Make Hearty Sausage & Potato Bake
To enhance flavor, consider using smoked or spiced sausages and add a dash of paprika. For a creamier taste, use extra sharp cheddar cheese.
## Variation
For a vegetarian version, substitute sausage with plant-based alternatives or just increase the amount of potatoes.
## FAQs
q1. Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?
Yes, sweet potatoes can be used but it will add a slightly sweet flavor to the dish.
q2. Can I make this dish in advance?
You can pre-bake the dish, allow it to cool, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, sprinkle cheese and bake until hot and bubbly.
q3. Can this dish be frozen?
Yes! To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil and freeze. When ready to serve, bake until heated thoroughly.