Description
Cheesy ranch hash brown casserole with sausage brings comfort and zest to your breakfast table. Crispy potatoes, savory sausage, and creamy ranch blend into a hearty morning meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) smoked sausage, sliced
Vegetables:
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
Base Ingredients:
- 1 regular size bag frozen shredded hash browns
- ¾ cup (177 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup
- ½ cup (118 milliliters) sour cream
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 cup (226 grams) shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and carefully brown the smoked sausage with bell peppers and onions until vegetables soften and meat develops a rich golden exterior, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Transfer the sautéed mixture into a slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the casserole.
- Add frozen hash browns directly into the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution among the sausage and vegetable mixture.
- Pour heavy whipping cream and cheddar cheese soup into the slow cooker, creating a creamy foundation for the dish.
- Incorporate sour cream and ranch seasoning, whisking gently to integrate the tangy and herbaceous elements throughout the mixture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious, golden blanket across the casserole.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to high heat, allowing the ingredients to meld and marry for approximately two hours. Alternatively, cook on low setting for four hours if a slower, more gradual preparation is preferred.
- Verify doneness by checking that potatoes are tender and the cheese has melted completely, creating a bubbling, appetizing surface.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to settle and ensure easier serving.
Notes
- Meal Prep Magic: Brown the sausage and veggies beforehand to intensify flavors and save precious cooking time on busy days.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for a more luxurious, melty texture that elevates the entire dish.
- Crockpot Convenience: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, comforting meal with minimal hands-on effort.
- Seasoning Secret: Ranch seasoning adds a tangy, herbal kick that transforms ordinary hash brown casserole into an extraordinary crowd-pleaser.
- Flexibility Factor: Swap smoked sausage with breakfast sausage or bacon for a personalized twist that suits your taste preferences.
- Serving Suggestion: Pair with a crisp green salad or fresh fruit to balance the rich, creamy casserole and create a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg