If you’re craving a soul-warming, rich, and utterly comforting meal, look no further than this Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe. It’s that perfect blend of hearty potatoes, flavorful beef kielbasa, and luscious cheese sauce that comes together into a dish everyone will love. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy night in, this casserole offers a satisfying mix of textures and bold flavors wrapped in creamy deliciousness. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become your go-to comfort food classic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing the perfect balance of creaminess, spice, and cheesy goodness in this casserole. Each element plays an important role in creating that irresistible harmony.
- 1 pound kielbasa beef sausage, sliced: Adds smoky, savory flavor and a meaty texture that pairs wonderfully with the potatoes.
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced: The hearty base that soaks up all the creamy sauce, giving the casserole a velvety bite.
- 1 cup diced onions: Provides sweetness and depth to balance the richness.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Offers a subtle kick and aromatic foundation.
- 1 teaspoon seasoning (such as Slap Ya Mama): Infuses the dish with a little heat and a ton of personality.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Grounds the flavors with sharpness.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Keeps the casserole moist and flavors mingling beautifully.
- 1 cup heavy cream: The secret to the silky, decadent texture of the sauce.
- Half of a 10.5-ounce can cheddar cheese soup: Enhances cheesiness and creaminess in the sauce base.
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: Melts throughout, adding a robust cheesy punch.
- About ½ cup water: Helps brown the sausage gently without burning.
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Dish
Kick things off by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large casserole dish — aiming for about 13×9 inches or 3 quarts — so none of the cheesy, creamy goodness sticks to the bottom. This simple step sets you up for an easy clean-up later and ensures perfect baking.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, add your sliced kielbasa with about ½ cup of water. Cook over medium heat, letting the water evaporate slowly. This method helps the sausage brown evenly without scorching. If the pan starts to get dry, just add a splash more water. Once browned, toss in your diced onions and cook until they soften, then stir in minced garlic so its fragrant aroma opens up the dish’s flavor profile.
Step 3: Add the Potatoes
Now it’s time to add the diced potatoes right to the pot with your sausage and onions. These little cubes will soak up all the beautiful flavors and become tender as everything bakes. Stir them gently together so they get coated with the savory mixture.
Step 4: Incorporate the Sauce Ingredients
Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and half of your cheddar cheese soup. Sprinkle in your seasoning and black pepper, then give everything a good stir. Heat gently until the mixture just begins to bubble — this helps blend the flavors and start thickening the sauce before baking.
Step 5: Mix in the Cheese
Turn the heat off and stir in most of your shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Watch how it starts to melt and swirl into the sauce, making it incredibly creamy and irresistible. The cheese gives that luscious texture and flavor we all crave in a comforting casserole.
Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish
Carefully pour the entire mixture into your prepared casserole dish. If you’re a cheese lover like me, sprinkle the remaining cheddar generously on top for an extra cheesy, golden crust after baking.
Step 7: Bake Covered
Cover your casserole with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender throughout. The foil traps steam to ensure the potatoes cook perfectly soft and the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 8: Finish Baking Uncovered
Uncover the casserole and bake for another 10 minutes. This final step lets the cheese on top brown just right and melt fully, creating a deliciously melty and slightly crispy layer that’s pure comfort on a plate.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let your Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe cool for a few minutes. This resting time thickens the sauce, making every serving hold together with that perfect creamy consistency. Grab a plate, scoop generously, and get ready to dig into a bowl of pure, cheesy happiness.
How to Serve Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle some freshly chopped green onions or chives for a pop of color and a mild oniony bite that balances the rich cheese. For an extra creamy touch, a dollop of sour cream on top amps up the comfort factor and adds a lovely tang.
Side Dishes
This casserole shines as a main dish, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans adds freshness and crunch. These lighter sides help round out the meal so it feels like a well-balanced feast instead of heavy comfort food overload.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the casserole in individual ramekins for personalized portions. Or layer some crispy bacon bits on top for extra texture and flavor contrast. You can also try mixing in some cooked kale or spinach before baking to sneak in greens without overpowering the creamy cheesy goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The casserole will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it a fantastic meal prep option.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully if you want to save it for later. Just cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe dish or wrap tightly with foil and plastic wrap. It can be frozen for up to 2 months without compromising taste or texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F until warmed through to keep the sauce creamy and avoid drying out. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals and stir in between to distribute heat evenly. A splash of cream or broth added before reheating helps revive that luscious texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage for this casserole?
Absolutely! While beef kielbasa is traditional and flavorful, feel free to swap it with chicken kielbasa, smoked sausage, or even a vegetarian sausage alternative. Just adjust cooking times if needed to ensure it browns nicely.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
You can lighten it up by substituting half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream, and using a reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Keep in mind this will affect the richness but it will still be delicious.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble everything up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, bake covered, then finish uncovered as directed.
What can I use if I don’t have cheddar cheese soup?
If you don’t have cheddar cheese soup on hand, mix about 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, and a tablespoon of flour to create a quick creamy cheese sauce base to add into your casserole.
How can I tell when the potatoes are done baking?
The best way is to pierce the potatoes with a fork or knife; they should be tender and slide in easily without resistance. If they still feel firm, bake a little longer and check again.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe is pure comfort food magic that brings warmth and smiles to any table. Its rich flavors and creamy texture are the perfect answer to hearty cravings, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. I encourage you to try it soon — once you do, this casserole will be one of those dishes you’ll want to keep in your recipe rotation forever.
Print
Creamy Cheesy Kielbasa and Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic kielbasa and potato casserole is a hearty, comforting dish featuring browned beef kielbasa sausage, tender potatoes, and a creamy, cheesy sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, cheddar cheese soup, and sharp cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection with a golden, bubbly cheese crust, it’s an easy-to-make one-dish meal full of rich savory flavors.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 pound kielbasa beef sausage, sliced into pieces
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon seasoning (such as Slap Ya Mama or your favorite seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 10.5 ounce can cheddar cheese soup (use about half the can in the mix)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- About ½ cup water (to help brown the sausage)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a large casserole dish (13×9-inch or 3-quart) to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, add the sliced kielbasa and about ½ cup water. Cook over medium heat, adding small amounts of water as needed to prevent sticking. As the water evaporates, the sausage will brown. Once browned, add diced onions and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly.
- Add Potatoes: Add the peeled and diced potatoes to the pot with the sausage and onions.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, about half the can of cheddar cheese soup, seasoning, and black pepper. Stir well and heat gently until the mixture just begins to boil.
- Add Cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in most of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to let it melt into the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the cooked mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Optionally, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top to create a cheesier crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 65 to 75 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown the top and fully melt the cheese, creating a golden crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and portions to hold together nicely.
Notes
- You can add small amounts of water during browning to prevent the sausage from sticking and burning.
- Using half the cheddar cheese soup can control creaminess and thickness—adjust amount to your preference.
- Covering the casserole during baking prevents drying out; uncovering allows the cheese to brown.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the casserole firm up for easier portioning.
- For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce with the seasoning.
