So hearty and delicious! This casserole makes the house smell amazing too!

The Cheese, Potato, and Smoked Sausage Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines the earthy goodness of potatoes with the rich flavors of cheese and the smokiness of sausage. While its exact origins are hard to pinpoint, it is evocative of rustic, home-style cooking often found in American Midwest and Southern cuisine. This casserole has become a beloved staple for family dinners due to its simplicity, satisfying taste, and the ease of making it in large batches to feed a crowd or ensure leftovers for the week.

When it comes to serving the Cheese, Potato, and Smoked Sausage Casserole, it is quite versatile and can be a standout one-dish meal on its own. However, for those looking to add a bit more variety, a simple green salad dressed with a tart vinaigrette can balance the richness of the casserole. A side of steamed green beans or sautéed kale also complements the dish well. For an extra cozy meal, some like to serve it with a side of warm, crusty bread to sop up any creamy, cheesy goodness left in the dish.

Ingredients:

- 1 lb of smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 4 cups of potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1 can of cream of chicken soup (10.75 oz)
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they become translucent. Add the sliced smoked sausage to the onions and cook until lightly browned.

3. In a separate saucepan, boil the cubed potatoes until tender but still firm, about 10-15 minutes. Drain the water and set the potatoes aside.

4. In a large bowl, combine the milk, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth.

5. Add the cooked sausage, onions, and boiled potatoes to the soup mixture and gently mix until the potatoes and sausage are well-coated.

6. Pour half of the potato and sausage mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle one cup of cheddar cheese over the mixture, then add the remaining potato and sausage mixture on top.

7. Cover the top with the remaining cup of cheddar cheese, spreading it evenly over the casserole.

8. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.

9. If desired, garnish the Cheese, Potato, and Smoked Sausage Casserole with chopped parsley or chives before serving.

This easy-to-make, robust casserole is perfect for a cool evening and is sure to be a favorite for its comforting layers of flavor and texture.