This Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is a hearty, all-in-one meal that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Tender roasted potatoes and smoky sausage rounds are seasoned with zesty ranch spices and then smothered in a gooey layer of melted cheese.
It is a comforting, family-friendly dinner that feels indulgent but comes together easily on a single sheet pan or baking dish.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A crowd-pleasing mix of savory smoked meat, earthy potatoes, and tangy ranch seasoning, all brought together by rich, melted cheddar and mozzarella.
- Texture: You get crispy edges on the sausage, soft fluffy potatoes, and a stretchy cheese pull on top.
- Time: 10 minutes prep, 45 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy. It involves chopping, tossing, and baking in stages.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large baking dish (9×13) or a rimmed baking sheet. A knife and cutting board are required for prepping the potatoes and sausage. The ingredients are simple pantry staples: baby potatoes, your favorite smoked sausage link, a packet of dry ranch dressing mix, and plenty of shredded cheese.
Ingredient Notes
- Baby Potatoes – Use 2 pounds of baby potatoes (red or yellow). Cutting them into uniform chunks ensures they cook evenly and get tender within the roasting time.
- Smoked Sausage – You can use any fully cooked smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, andouille, or turkey sausage. Slicing it into rounds allows the edges to crisp up nicely.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix – A single packet of dry ranch seasoning provides all the herbs and spices needed, giving the potatoes a distinct, zesty kick.
- Cheese Blend – A combination of sharp cheddar and mild mozzarella (or Colby Jack) creates the perfect balance of flavor and meltiness.
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasoning stick to the potatoes and promotes browning in the oven.
- Garlic Powder & Pepper – These additional spices boost the savory profile of the ranch mix.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – Broccoli florets or bell pepper chunks can be tossed in with the sausage for a complete one-pan meal.
- Spicy – For a kick, use spicy andouille sausage or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Creamy – Serve with a dollop of sour cream or extra ranch dressing on the side for dipping.
How to Make Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish or a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Season Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the olive oil, the entire packet of ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper until they are evenly coated. Spread them out in the prepared dish.
- Roast: Bake for 20 minutes. This head start allows the potatoes to begin softening before the sausage is added.
- Add Sausage: Remove the dish from the oven. Stir in the sliced smoked sausage rounds, tossing them with the potatoes. Bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender and the sausage is browned on the edges.
- Add Cheese: Top the mixture evenly with the shredded cheddar and mozzarella (or Colby Jack) cheese. Bake for 5 more minutes, or just until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and flavor. Serve hot.
Pro Tip: Cut your potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch). If the chunks are too large, they will take much longer to cook than the sausage, potentially leaving you with burnt meat and hard potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcrowd: Use a large enough dish so the potatoes are in a single layer. If they are piled high, they will steam instead of roast.
- Check Doneness: Test a potato with a fork before adding the cheese. If it still feels hard in the center, bake for another 5-10 minutes before topping with cheese.
- Crispy Cheese: If you like browned, crispy cheese spots, pop the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the very end. Watch it closely!
FAQs
- Can I use regular potatoes? Yes, Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well. Just peel (if desired) and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
- Is this gluten-free? Generally yes, as long as your ranch seasoning packet and sausage are certified gluten-free.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Green Beans: A side of steamed or roasted green beans pairs perfectly.
- Salad: Serve with a simple garden salad to balance the rich, cheesy flavors.
- Dip: Ranch dressing or BBQ sauce makes a great dip for the sausage bites.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can chop the sausage and potatoes ahead of time. Store the potatoes in water to prevent browning (drain and dry well before roasting).
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to re-crisp the potatoes. The microwave works but will make the potatoes softer.
Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage is a hearty, all-in-one meal that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Tender roasted potatoes and smoky sausage rounds are seasoned with zesty ranch spices and then smothered in a gooey layer of melted cheese. It is a comforting, family-friendly dinner that feels indulgent but comes together easily on a single sheet pan or baking dish.
Ingredients
The Base
- 2 pounds baby potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 14 ounces smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa, andouille), sliced into rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
The Seasoning
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
The Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella or Colby Jack cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley or green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat
Heat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish or a large rimmed baking sheet.
Season Potatoes
In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the olive oil, the full packet of ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer in the prepared dish.
Roast (Part 1)
Bake for 20 minutes. Why? Potatoes take longer to cook than sausage. Giving them a head start ensures everything finishes at the same time.
Add Sausage (Part 2)
Remove the dish from the oven. Stir in the sliced smoked sausage rounds, tossing them with the potatoes. Bake for another 15–20 minutes. Doneness Check: The potatoes should be fork-tender and the sausage browned on the edges.
Melt Cheese
Top the mixture evenly with the shredded Cheddar and Mozzarella. Bake for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Serve
Remove from the oven. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color. Serve hot.
Notes
Potato Size: Cut the potatoes into uniform, bite-sized pieces (approx. 1 inch). If they are too large, the sausage will burn before the potatoes are soft.
Don’t Overcrowd: Use a large enough pan so the ingredients aren’t piled too high. If crowded, the potatoes will steam and turn soft instead of roasting and getting crispy edges.
Crispy Cheese: For browned, bubbly cheese spots, switch the oven to Broil for the last 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning!
Veggie Add-In: Want a complete meal? Toss broccoli florets or bell pepper chunks in with the sausage during step 4.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Sheet Pan Meal
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of Recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: cheesy potatoes and sausage, ranch potatoes recipe, sheet pan sausage dinner, roasted potatoes and sausage, easy family casserole, smoked sausage recipes, one pan meals
