Loaded Potatoes and Sausage Casserole

This was dinner last night, and it was SO good.

I’m a big potato lover.

I love a good baked potato loaded with all the good stuff, like butter, sour cream, cheese- Oh my! Butter, sour cream, cheese- Oh my! Butter, sour cream, chee…ok sorry, I’ll stop now!

Anyway, this casserole uses those same ingredients common to a loaded baked potato. Of course, many people also add bacon to their loaded spud. So, keeping with the pork, I substituted ground breakfast sausage sausage.  Add some red pepper- and it was perfect. (if I had some green onions on hand, I would have chopped them up and added them, too) I ate too much. My husband was in love, as well.

Make some tonight!

Easy Cheesy Baked Hash-browns and Sausage

Though I love to cook, Saturdays are hard days for me to get the motivation to stop what I am doing and prepare dinner. We are usually busy working outside or catching up on projects around the house. So, a dinner that is quick and easy is in order!

This is another “breakfast-for-dinner” meal. As mentioned in a previous post, I usually make a ‘breakfast-y” meal once a week. We really enjoyed this baked version of hash browns, peppers and onions, ground sausage, and cheese! (Sometimes it seems it’s the simplest dishes that taste the best.)

The steps to prepare and make this dish are simple and quick- the ingredients are few, and the result is yummy! What could be better, right?

Basic Mashed Potatoes

This is just a simple recipe for your basic, smooth & fluffy Mashed Potatoes- nothing dressed up. And really, mashed potatoes are always a star all by themselves. No need to add a lot of extra ingredients to make them special. So, grab a spoon a dive in!

4-5  large russet potatoes or 6 medium size

Salt for Seasoning

1/4-1/2c. milk

1/4 c. butter

Peel the potatoes with a vegetable peeler. Cut into chunks. Cover with cold water until you are ready to bring to a boil. (this keeps your potatoes from getting black spots)

Bring Water to a boil. Sprinkle in a little bit of salt to add flavor (approx. 1/2 tsp)

Continue boiling for 15-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, check the potatoes for tenderness with a small knife. When there is no resistance and the knife easily pokes through the potato, it is done.

Carefully drain the water from the potatoes

Move the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.

Add 4 Tbs. butter

Add 1/4 c. milk for starters.

Begin to beat with a hand mixer- working your way around the bowl with the beaters. Continue to add milk a little at a time until the mashed potatoes reach your desired consistency.

Transfer to a serving bowl and dot with butter.

Will Serve 4-6