Description
Hearty slow cooker sausage and potato casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with Polish-inspired flavors. Simple ingredients create a satisfying meal that connects home cooks to traditional culinary warmth you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
- 32 oz (907 g) bag frozen diced hash browns (or 4 cups fresh potatoes, diced)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 10.5 oz (298 g) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
- 1 cup milk
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp dried parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat the slow cooker interior with nonstick spray or butter to prevent adhering.
- Base Layer: Spread potato slices evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a foundational platform for the dish.
- Protein and Aromatics Distribution: Scatter sausage pieces and onion cubes uniformly over potato layer to ensure consistent flavor profile throughout.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture.
- Ingredient Integration: Pour seasoned sauce over potato and sausage mixture, gently folding to guarantee complete and even coating of all components.
- Slow Cooking: Select LOW temperature setting for 5-6 hours or HIGH temperature for 2-3 hours, cooking until potatoes become fork-tender and ingredients meld together seamlessly.
- Cheese Finalization: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface during the final cooking stage, allowing it to transform into a molten, golden blanket.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with freshly chopped parsley and present the casserole directly from the slow cooker while piping hot, ensuring maximum flavor and textural enjoyment.
Notes
- Prevent Potato Discoloration: Soak sliced potatoes in cold water for 10-15 minutes before layering to prevent browning and maintain a fresh appearance.
- Optimize Meat Quality: Choose high-quality sausage like kielbasa or Italian sausage for enhanced flavor and better texture in the casserole.
- Control Moisture Levels: Avoid adding extra liquid as the potatoes and sausage release natural moisture during slow cooking, which prevents a soggy dish.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option, and use low-fat cream of mushroom soup and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 402
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1095 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg