If you’re hunting for a comforting, all-in-one meal that’s bursting with flavor, you have to try this Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe. I absolutely love how it comes together in one pan, making dinner cleanup a breeze, and the combination of crispy potatoes with smoky sausage is just irresistible. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll see why it’s become a go-to in my kitchen for busy weeknights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, so you save time on both cooking and cleanup.
- Flavor Packed: The smoky kielbasa combined with seasoned potatoes and onions delivers big, satisfying flavors.
- Flexible Ingredients: You can easily swap seasonings or add veggies to fit your tastes or what you have on hand.
- Family Favorite: This recipe has won over picky eaters in my house, and it’s super kid-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe come together effortlessly to create a hearty, delicious meal. Each one plays its role—kielbasa offers a robust, smoky flavor, while the potatoes add that satisfying crispiness and comfort. Here’s what you’ll want to grab at the store.
- Kielbasa sausage: I usually pick pre-cooked kielbasa for ease, but fresh also works if you brown it well.
- Potatoes: I like using Yukon Gold or red potatoes because they hold their shape but still get nice and crispy.
- Vidalia onion: The sweetness of Vidalia onions balances the savory sausage perfectly.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth that really elevates the potatoes.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives that punch of aroma and flavor.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning everything just right.
- Oregano or Italian seasoning: I switch between these depending on what herb profile I want; oregano gives it that rustic touch.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. I often adjust seasonings or add different veggies based on what I have on hand or what my family’s craving that day.
- Adding Bell Peppers: My family goes crazy for this when I toss in some sliced red and green peppers — it adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color.
- Spice it Up: For a little heat, I sprinkle in some cayenne or toss in sliced jalapeños—brings a nice kick without overpowering the dish.
- Herb Swaps: Sometimes I swap oregano for thyme or rosemary to change up the flavor profile.
- Microwaving Potatoes First: I discovered this trick from a reader — partially cooking the potatoes in the microwave cuts down the skillet time and still delivers crispy results.
How to Make Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Kielbasa to Start
Start by cutting your kielbasa into bite-sized slices—about half-inch thick works well. Heat your skillet over medium-high and add the sausage slices. Fry them up until they get a golden-brown crust on both sides, about 6 minutes. You’ll want to stir now and then to prevent sticking. Once browned, scoop them out but leave all that flavorful rendered fat in the pan — it’s liquid gold for cooking the potatoes!
Step 2: Cook the Potatoes in the Sausage Grease
Dump your chopped potatoes straight into the hot skillet with the sausage grease. Toss in paprika, salt, and oregano. Give everything a good stir to coat the potatoes in all that flavor. Now turn your burner down to medium-low and cover the skillet. Patience is key here — let them cook for about 13 minutes, stirring regularly to encourage even browning. You want to see some golden crispness on the potatoes, while they soften.
Step 3: Add Onions and Garlic for Depth
Once the potatoes start to mellow, add in the chopped Vidalia onions and minced garlic. Cover again, cooking for another 12 minutes. Keep stirring every few minutes — this prevents burning and helps the potatoes and onions soften perfectly. The onions add wonderful sweetness that balances out the smoky sausage and spices.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Finally, return the cooked kielbasa slices to the skillet, gently folding everything together. Let it cook un-covered for another 4 minutes so the flavors meld and the sausage heats through. At this point, give everything a taste and adjust salt or seasoning if necessary — that’s the beauty of this recipe, you can always tweak to your liking.
Pro Tips for Making Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
- Leave the Fat: Don’t drain the rendered fat after cooking the sausage — it’s what makes the potatoes so crispy and flavorful.
- Cut Uniformly: Chop your potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly without some turning mushy and others staying hard.
- Cover to Cook Evenly: Keeping the skillet covered while cooking the potatoes and onions helps steam them through without drying out.
- Don’t Rush the Potatoes: Resist cranking the heat to finish faster — medium-low heat gives you that golden, crispy texture without burning.
How to Serve Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I love a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or scallions on top — it adds a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I toss on a little shredded cheese right before serving, which melts into all those warm potatoes. For a tangy twist, a dollop of sour cream on the side is a game-changer.
Side Dishes
This skillet dish is hearty on its own, but I often pair it with a light salad — simple greens with a lemon vinaigrette cut through the richness nicely. Steamed or sautéed greens like spinach or kale also complement the smoky sausage and potatoes well.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun brunch or casual dinner, I’ve served this skillet right in the pan at the table, letting everyone dig in family-style. It also makes fantastic leftovers if you hollow out a bell pepper and stuff the sausage and potato mixture inside for a colorful, edible bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors deepen overnight, so it often tastes even better the next day. Just make sure to cool it before storing to keep the potatoes from becoming soggy.
Freezing
This Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe freezes well! I portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This helps restore some crispiness to the potatoes. You can also microwave it covered, but it will be softer that way.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of sausage in this skillet recipe?
Definitely! While kielbasa is classic and brings a smoky flavor, you can substitute with Andouille, chorizo, or even breakfast sausage. Just make sure to adjust cooking time if the sausage isn’t pre-cooked.
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What’s the best way to get crispy potatoes without them burning?
Cooking the potatoes in the rendered fat from the sausage over medium to medium-low heat with the skillet covered allows them to cook through evenly, then uncovered at the end helps achieve crispiness without burning.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Most kielbasa sausages are naturally gluten-free, but double-check package labels to be sure. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy gluten-free meal.
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How do I shorten cooking time?
A great tip I’ve learned is to microwave the potatoes for a few minutes until they’re partially cooked before frying; this cuts down skillet time and still delivers great texture.
Final Thoughts
This Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s straightforward to make, delicious, and feeds a hungry family without much fuss. I highly recommend giving it a try—you’ll enjoy how simple yet flavorful dinner can be. Plus, it’s flexible enough to make your own, so once you try it, you might find it becoming your own family tradition!
Print
Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Polish-American
Description
A hearty and flavorful Kielbasa and Potatoes recipe featuring browned kielbasa sausage, tender potatoes, and aromatic onions cooked together in a skillet with a blend of spices for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Meat
- 16 oz. kielbasa sausage, sliced
Vegetables
- 1 ¼ pounds potatoes (about 5 medium sized), chopped
- 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Spices & Seasonings
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ⅓ tsp. Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Skillet. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and allow it to heat thoroughly before adding any ingredients.
- Cook Kielbasa. Slice the kielbasa sausage into rounds and add them to the hot skillet. Stir frequently as the sausage browns and releases fat, cooking for about 6 minutes until browned. Then, remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Prepare Vegetables. While the sausage cooks, chop the potatoes and onion to ready them for cooking.
- Cook Potatoes. Add the chopped potatoes to the skillet with the grease left from the kielbasa. Sprinkle in the paprika, kosher salt, and oregano or Italian seasoning. Stir well to coat the potatoes in the fat. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low, cover the pan, and cook the potatoes for approximately 13 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
- Add Onions and Garlic. Incorporate the chopped onions and minced garlic into the skillet with the potatoes. Cover again and continue cooking over medium heat for about 12 minutes, stirring regularly until the onions are tender and the potatoes are softened.
- Combine and Finish Cooking. Return the browned kielbasa to the skillet and stir everything together. Cook for an additional 4 minutes to meld the flavors and heat the sausage through.
Notes
- A great time-saving tip is to microwave the potatoes until nearly cooked before adding them to the skillet; this reduces total cooking time while still achieving great texture.
- Adding peppers is a flavorful variation often used in kielbasa and potato recipes for extra color and taste.
- Serve alongside a fresh salad or cooked greens for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg