Sausage and Potatoes Skillet Meal

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

1 package kielbasa sausage or your favorite smoked link sausage, sliced into bite-sized rounds
2-3 medium potatoes cubed bite-sized (skin on or peeled — your preference)
½ small onion sliced into strips
⅓ to ½ cup bell pepper sliced (red and green are great together)
2 tablespoons olive oil plus a little more as needed
½ teaspoon salt and pepper blend equal parts
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ to ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese for finishing
Fresh parsley chopped, for finishing

Instructions

Start with the potatoes. Slice each potato into thirds lengthwise, then cube into bite-sized pieces. You want them small enough to cook quickly but not so tiny they fall apart. Don't worry about being perfect — rustic is just fine here.
Get the skillet going. Drizzle your olive oil into a skillet over medium heat, then add the potatoes. Season them right away with your salt and pepper blend and garlic powder, sprinkling it evenly across the top. Starting the seasoning early lets those potatoes soak up the flavor as they cook.
Add the onion and peppers. While the potatoes are getting started (after just a few minutes), add your onion strips and sliced bell peppers into the pan. Stir everything together and let it all cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes total. If the potatoes start sticking, add just a little more olive oil. You want to hear a gentle sizzle — not a furious one — so keep the heat at a steady medium.
In with the sausage. After the potatoes have had about a 10-minute head start, add the sliced kielbasa to the pan. Stir everything together so the sausage gets cozy with the potatoes and vegetables. Let it all cook together for another 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are cooked through and the sausage picks up a nice crispiness on the edges.
Check your potatoes. To know when everything's ready, press a fork into one of the larger potato pieces. If it goes through easily, you're good to go. If not, give it a few more minutes and check again.
Finish and serve. Turn off the heat and sprinkle Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley right over the top of the skillet. Give it one gentle stir to let that cheese settle in, and then serve it straight from the pan. Dinner is done.

Swap the sausage. Kielbasa is our favorite for this, but a smoked beef sausage or any link sausage you like will work just as well. Use what you have.

Add more veggies. Mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash are all wonderful additions. Just toss them in with the bell peppers and onion and let them cook down along with everything else.

Want more flavor? Fresh garlic is a beautiful upgrade here — a couple of minced cloves added when you put in the sausage will make the whole kitchen smell amazing. If you don't have it, garlic powder works perfectly, just like we used today.

Kick up the heat. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes brings a nice little kick. Smoked paprika is another great option if you want a deeper, smokier flavor without the heat.

Keep the skin on. Leaving the potato skin on adds texture and a little extra nutrition. Just be sure to scrub them well before you cube them up.