Description
Hearty kielbasa hashbrown casserole delivers comfort with minimal effort, blending smoky sausage and creamy cheese in one simple dish. Packed with flavor and easy preparation, this crowd-pleasing meal will become your go-to weeknight dinner solution.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 kielbasa sausage, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Starches and Vegetables:
- 1 (32 ounces / 907 grams) bag of frozen hashbrowns
- 1 small onion, diced
Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 (10 ounces / 284 grams) can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Minced garlic
- Onion powder
Instructions
- Create a foundation in a greased slow cooker by layering diced kielbasa, frozen hashbrowns, chopped onions, and a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese across the bottom.
- Craft a creamy sauce by whisking together condensed soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth, then incorporate seasonings like salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance flavor complexity.
- Gently cascade the sauce over the layered ingredients, methodically ensuring complete coverage and even distribution throughout the casserole.
- Sprinkle an additional layer of cheddar cheese across the top to create a golden, melty surface.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow the casserole to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 6 hours, or alternatively, use high temperature for 3-4 hours until hashbrowns become tender and edges turn crispy.
- Once cooking is complete, allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes to help set and stabilize the texture.
- Serve piping hot directly from the slow cooker, accompanying with a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the rich, hearty dish. Optional: Pair with toasted garlic bread for an extra indulgent meal experience.
Notes
- Swap kielbasa with turkey sausage for a leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Customize spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor profile without overwhelming the dish.
- Consider using low-fat cheese and reduced-sodium soup to make this recipe more heart-friendly and diet-conscious.
- Prepare extra portions and freeze in individual containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and provide convenient meal prep solutions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on Low) or 3 hours (on High)
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg