Easy Sausage and Potatoes – Immaculate Bites

Sausage and Potatoes – A Southern Classic

Most cultures enjoy different recipes for sausage and potatoes, especially in the South. You may have heard them called French fries and sausage, or some call them home fries.

Whatever you call it, it’s on the breakfast and dinner menus of the American South and beyond. Enjoy this no-frills meal made with readily available ingredients, a cast-iron skillet, and some grease or bacon grease (a staple of Southern home cooking). 👌

Recipe Ingredients

1. Potatoes – My favorite potato choice is russets, but you can use red potatoes or any type of potato you have on hand.
2. sausage – Using smoked, fully cooked sausage (beef or pork sausage) makes this dish come together in no time, but you could also use turkey sausage.
3. fat – Olive oil and butter give rich flavor when frying potatoes. Ghee is a lactose-free, high-temperature alternative. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, avocado oil is a great choice.
4. vegetables – Chopped onions, red peppers, and garlic add flavor, texture, and color to this dish.
5. seasoning – Simply season the sausage with salt and pepper, plus thyme and paprika to bring out its flavour.

How to make sausages and potatoes

Prepare the potatoes and sausages

• season Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and freshly ground black pepper, giving them a good stir so that all of the potato chunks are well coated with the seasonings. (Photo 1)
• heat Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and carefully add the seasoned potatoes, spreading them out in a single layer so they cook evenly.
• Cooking Cook the potatoes for about 3 minutes per side, turning them occasionally to brown evenly and get a crispy golden crust (about 6 minutes total). When the potatoes are nicely browned, transfer them to a plate with a slotted spoon. Set aside. (Photo 2)
• sausage – In the same skillet, add the butter and melt it. Add the sausage to the skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through (6-8 minutes). Once cooked, remove the sausage from the pan, transfer to a plate and set aside. (Photos 3-4)
• Onion – In the same pan, add the chopped onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes until the onion is translucent and slightly softened. (Photos 5-6)

Putting it all together

• seasoning – Add the minced garlic, dried thyme and paprika to the pan with the onions. Continue to fry for a further 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the spices are well mixed with the onions. (Photo 7)
• green pepper – Add the chopped red bell pepper. Stir occasionally and cook for 1 minute until the pepper begins to soften. (Photos 8-9)
• assemble – Return the browned potatoes and sausage to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently to mix all the ingredients together. (Photo 10)
• serve – Transfer the mixture to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh leafy greens such as parsley or chives to add color and flavor. Serve immediately while hot.

Recipe Variations

1. Add SauceIf desired, you can top it off with creamy Dijon sauce or herby chimichurri sauce.
2. One cup Frozen Corn Mix in the chopped onion when you add it to the pan. It looks beautiful and tastes amazing. 🌽
3. Make sausage and potato soup When you mix everything together, add 2 cups of chicken broth at the same time, then simmer for about 5 minutes to warm through.
4. Italian sausage and potatoesSubstitute mild or hot Italian sausage for the smoked sausage for a delicious flavor boost.
5. Roasted potatoes and sausagesMix all ingredients (potatoes, sausage, oil, vegetables, and seasonings) in a large bowl and spread on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (180°C), stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp and sausage is warmed through (20-30 minutes).

Tips and Tricks

1. Starchy potatoes, like russets, have a fluffy center, while musky potatoes, like reds and Yukon golds, have a creamier texture.
2. For extra crispiness, parboil the potatoes before frying. Cook in salted water for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly tender. Drain and cool before cooking.
3. Season the potatoes and sausage with salt, pepper and your favorite herbs and spices. You can go liberal with the seasonings for maximum flavor.
4. Make sure your pan is hot before adding the oil and butter, so it browns well and prevents sticking.
5. A cast iron skillet retains heat well and browns nicely, but if you don’t have a cast iron pan, any heavy-bottomed skillet will do.
6. When cooking potatoes and sausages, don’t overcrowd the pan, and cook in batches if necessary so everything cooks well and browns evenly.
7. Always taste the food before serving, adding a pinch of salt and/or pepper to adjust seasoning if necessary.

Preliminary steps

You can also make this dish the day before, but I don’t recommend it – reheating it in the microwave will soften the potatoes considerably, and if you reheat it on the stovetop, you’ll need to add more oil to the pan to keep the potatoes from softening, sticking, or burning.

If you’re up for a challenge, just do it: Allow the sausage and potatoes to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat the next day.

How to serve and store

Remove the sausage and fries from the skillet and serve them while they’re still warm and the fries are still crispy. You can also add a little hot sauce on top, like I did.

Store leftover potatoes and sausage in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a tablespoon or two of oil. This dish tastes best cooked fresh in a skillet, but it also makes a great fridge-cleaning soup.

What goes with sausage and potatoes?

This dish can of course be enjoyed on its own, Southern style fried cabbage Or sauerkraut. Boiling Cornbread or Oven roasted corn I guess it can’t hurt. 😉

Hearty Potato Recipes to Try

1. German potato salad
2. Green beans and potatoes
3. Smoky Potato
4. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
5. French fries and onions