If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting meal that comes together in one pan, you’re going to fall in love with this Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe. It’s packed with tender baby potatoes, savory smoked sausage, and crisp-tender broccoli, all perfectly seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices and melted cheddar cheese on top. This skillet meal is not only bursting with flavor but also super satisfying, making it a perfect go-to for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. You’ll love how easy it is to get all these wholesome ingredients working in harmony, delivering a dish that’s colorful, flavorful, and downright addictive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing fancy here—just a handful of simple ingredients that each play a crucial role in making this dish shine. From the smoky sausage to the creamy melted cheddar, every element brings something unique to the table.
- Baby potatoes: Sliced into quarters to cook evenly and get perfectly tender while soaking up all those spices.
- Garlic: Finely minced to add a fragrant, savory punch without overpowering the other flavors.
- Fresh broccoli florets: Provide a fresh, slightly crunchy texture and vibrant green color that brightens the skillet.
- Smoked sausage: Cut into rounds, this adds a smoky depth and meaty bite that’s absolutely essential.
- Olive oil: Divided to ensure both the sausage and potatoes get that beautiful golden crust.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps the potatoes soften to a creamy perfection.
- Cajun seasoning: Brings a mild heat and complexity that elevates the whole dish.
- Paprika: For gorgeous color and subtle smoky flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Just enough to add a touch of warmth without being overpowering.
- Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors and balances the seasoning.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts over the skillet for that irresistible cheesy finish.
- Freshly chopped parsley (optional): Adds a fresh, herbal note and lovely color contrast when garnishing.
How to Make Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Sear the sausage
Start by heating two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your smoked sausage rounds and cook them for 6 to 8 minutes, allowing them to caramelize beautifully on the edges. This step is key for unlocking those robust smoky flavors. Once they’re perfectly browned, remove the sausage from the skillet and set them aside—don’t skip this caramelization, it makes all the difference!
Step 2: Cook the potatoes
In the same skillet, melt your salted butter together with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. This combo adds richness and prevents sticking while cooking the potatoes. Toss in the quartered baby potatoes and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become fork-tender. You want those potatoes soft inside but with a hint of golden crispness on the outside.
Step 3: Add garlic and spices with broccoli
Now it’s time to layer in the flavor. Add the finely minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for about one minute to awaken the spices. Then fold in the fresh broccoli florets. Let them cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they deepen in color and soften slightly, providing a perfect balance between tender and crisp in the final bite.
Step 4: Combine sausage and melt cheese
Return those deliciously browned sausage rounds to the pan, mixing everything gently. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for about 5 minutes off the heat. As the cheese melts into gooey perfection, it binds all the ingredients beautifully, making every mouthful irresistible.
Step 5: Garnish and serve immediately
Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley if you like a fresh pop of color and subtle herbal brightness. Serve your Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe right away while it’s warm and melty. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that’s both nourishing and full of bold, comforting flavors.
How to Serve Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of fresh parsley is a great way to add some vibrant green and a fresh herbal note that balances the smoky, cheesy richness. If you want to get a little adventurous, a dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens everything up beautifully.
Side Dishes
Although this skillet dish is a meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some crusty garlic bread. Both add texture and freshness that complement the hearty sausage and potatoes perfectly without competing with the skillet’s flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family-style dinner, serve the skillet right at the table in the cast iron pan so everyone can help themselves. You can also portion it into individual oven-safe dishes, add a little extra cheese, and broil for a couple of minutes to get a bubbly golden top. Either way, it’s always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more after sitting, so it can be just as tasty the next day.
Freezing
This dish freezes well too! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep nicely for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth if it seems dry and cover it to help the cheese melt smoothly again. Avoid overcooking to keep the veggies crisp and potatoes tender.
FAQs
Can I use other types of sausage?
Absolutely! While smoked sausage adds amazing flavor, you can substitute with Italian sausage, bratwurst, or even chicken sausage depending on your preference. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
What’s the best way to cut the potatoes?
Quartering the baby potatoes ensures they cook evenly and quickly. If you’re using larger potatoes, cut them into similarly sized pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You sure can. Swap the sausage for hearty plant-based sausage or add extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers to keep it filling and flavorful.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick from the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can always adjust the amount of spices to suit your heat tolerance.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can slice the potatoes, broccoli, and sausage ahead of time to save prep work on cooking day. Even pre-mixing the spices helps speed up the process when you’re ready to cook.
Final Thoughts
This Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe is one of those gems that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It comes together quickly, uses simple wholesome ingredients, and delivers big on flavor every time. Trust me, once you try it, this skillet will become a favorite in your dinner rotation—easy, comforting, and completely irresistible. Don’t wait to give it a go; your taste buds will thank you!
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Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 to 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This hearty Sausage Potato Broccoli Skillet is a flavorful one-pan meal combining tender baby potatoes, smoky sausage rounds, and fresh broccoli florets, all seasoned with Cajun spices and melted cheddar cheese. It’s a comforting and easy dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, each sliced into quarters
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Meat & Dairy
- 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into rounds
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Oils & Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smoked sausage rounds and sauté for 6-8 minutes, or until they start to caramelize and develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Potatoes: In the same skillet, melt the butter along with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the quartered baby potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender and lightly browned.
- Add Spices and Broccoli: Stir in the finely minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook this mixture for 1 minute to release the flavors. Then add the broccoli florets and sauté for 5-6 minutes until the broccoli turns a deeper green and softens slightly.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked sausage rounds to the skillet and mix everything together. Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt fully.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the skillet dish immediately while warm and cheesy.
Notes
- You can use smoked sausage varieties like kielbasa, Andouille, or smoked Polish sausage based on your preference.
- If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning.
- For a crispier crust on the potatoes, increase the cooking time slightly before adding the broccoli.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop.
- To make this recipe gluten free, ensure the smoked sausage used is labeled gluten free.
