One-pan, budget-friendly dinner in about 30 minutes
Crispy-edged ranch potatoes and smoky sausage coins tossed with melty cheddar—sheet-pan easy and weeknight fast.
Why you’ll love it
- Hits cheesy ranch potatoes cravings with almost no prep
- True fast dinner recipe: microwave-steam potatoes, then roast + melt
- Pantry & freezer staples = cheap dinners that still feel cozy
- Flexible: sheet pan, skillet, or air fryer; scales for family meals
- Doubles as an easy casserole recipe (see Variations)
Ingredients (notes only)
Base: Baby gold or red potatoes (quick-cooking), smoked sausage (kielbasa/andouille/turkey), olive oil
Seasoning: Dry ranch seasoning packet, smoked paprika, black pepper (salt lightly—ranch is salty)
Cheesy finish: Freshly shredded sharp cheddar (better melt)
Optional add-ins: Bell pepper or onion strips, minced garlic, hot sauce
To serve: Chives/green onion, ranch or sour cream for dipping
Step-by-step (sheet pan, fastest)
- Heat oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
- Par-cook potatoes (5 min): Toss 2 lb potato chunks with 1 tbsp water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave 5 minutes to steam; drain well.
- Season: Toss hot potatoes with olive oil, ranch seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Add sliced smoked sausage coins; spread in a single layer.
- Roast: Bake 15–18 minutes, stirring once, until potatoes are browned and tender and sausage edges are crisp.
- Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar over the pan; bake 2–3 minutes more to melt.
- Finish: Top with chives/green onion. Serve with ranch or sour cream.
Food safety: Most smoked sausage is fully cooked; heat through to 165°F. If using uncooked sausage, roast until the sausage reaches 160°F (pork/beef) or 165°F (chicken/turkey).
Pro tips
- Par-cooking in the microwave guarantees 30-minute timing and crisp edges.
- Don’t crowd: one even layer = browning, not steaming. Use two pans for big batches.
- Shred cheese from a block for the smoothest melt.
- Add veggies (onion/bell pepper) at the start; add delicate veg (zucchini) at the stir.
- Ranch mixes vary in salt—taste before salting more.
Variations (map to interests)
- Bacon-Ranch Upgrade (Cheesy Ranch Potatoes): Add 4 slices crisp bacon at the end.
- Spicy Smoked Sausage (Sausage Recipes): Use andouille; add ½–1 tsp hot sauce before roasting.
- Turkey Sausage Light (Cheap Dinner Recipes): Swap turkey sausage; use part-skim mozzarella.
- Ranch Potato Casserole (Easy Casserole Recipes): Toss roasted mix into a 9×13 with ½ cup sour cream + 1 can condensed cream of chicken (or mushroom) + ½ cup extra cheese; bake 375°F, 12–15 min bubbly.
- Veg-Loaded (Fast Dinners): Add 2 cups broccoli florets at the midway stir.
How to serve
Add a simple salad, steamed green beans, or sliced cucumbers. Great with pickle spears and warm rolls.
Make ahead & storage
- Prep ahead: Slice sausage and cut potatoes 1 day ahead; keep potatoes submerged in cold water.
- Fridge: 3–4 days airtight.
- Reheat: 400°F for 8–10 minutes to re-crisp; add a fresh sprinkle of cheese.
- Freeze: Best enjoyed fresh; potatoes can soften after freezing.
FAQs
What potatoes work best? Baby golds or reds (creamy, keep shape). Russets work but break more easily.
No microwave? Dice potatoes smaller (½-inch) and roast 25–30 min total before cheese.
Is ranch packet required? Any dry ranch blend (homemade or packet) works; start with 1 Tbsp and adjust.
Can I make it dairy-free? Use dairy-free ranch and shredded DF cheese or skip cheese and add extra spices.
How do I keep it cheap? Buy family-size sausage, use store brand cheese, and stretch with a bell pepper and onion.
Simple Nutrition (estimate, per 1 of 4 servings)
| Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~600 | ~42 g | ~22 g | ~38 g | ~4 g | ~1200 mg |
Cheesy Ranch Potatoes and Smoked Sausage (One Pan)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
- In a microwave bowl, toss potatoes with 1 tbsp water; cover and microwave 5 minutes. Drain well.
- Toss potatoes with oil, ranch seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Add sausage; spread in one layer.
- Roast 15–18 minutes, stirring once halfway, until potatoes are browned and tender and sausage edges are crisp (165°F heat-through; 160–165°F if starting uncooked).
- Top with cheddar and bake 2–3 minutes to melt. Garnish and serve.
Nutrition
Notes
Dairy-free: Use DF ranch and DF shreds or omit cheese; add extra paprika.
Casserole version: Mix cooked pan with ½ cup sour cream + 1 can condensed cream soup; bake 375°F, 12–15 min bubbly.
Equipment: Large rimmed sheet pan (13×18), parchment, microwave-safe bowl.