Amazing Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

Oh my goodness, is there anything better than that moment when the kitchen smells of savory sausage, sizzling onions, and melting cheese? When I need pure, unadulterated comfort on a plate, I skip the fussy techniques and go straight for my absolute favorite—the Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet. Seriously, this is the ultimate one-pan meal, taking you from pantry to piping hot in under 40 minutes. It’s hearty enough for dinner but perfectly acceptable for a decadent weekend brunch!

The first time I threw this together, it was a chilly autumn Sunday, and I was craving something warm and comforting. I just rummaged through my fridge and found some leftover sausage from a recent brunch and a sack of potatoes I had just harvested from my balcony garden. As the ingredients sizzled in the skillet, the rich aroma filled my small apartment, and I couldn’t help but smile. That dish quickly became a favorite among friends who’d come to visit, and now it’s a regular at my gatherings, effortlessly bringing everyone together around the warmth of a cozy meal. Trust me, this specific potato hash recipe is a keeper!

If you’re looking for easy, delicious food that dirties only one pan, you have absolutely come to the right spot. We’re going to see how shredding is key to the crisp factor. You can learn more about making foolproof dinners here: how to make dinner ideas foolproof.

Why This Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet Works So Well

I promise you, this isn’t your grandma’s soggy potato side dish, even though it’s just as comforting! This sausage and potatoes dish is designed for real life—busy nights or lazy weekend mornings. Because it’s a true one-pan meal, cleanup is ridiculously easy, which is a huge win in my book.

What really sets this hash apart is the texture achieved in just 40 minutes total time. We focus on three key elements:

• Speed: It’s ready fast, perfect for a weeknight meal.
• Crispy Texture: Shredding and drying the potatoes creates pockets of crunch.
• Flavor Fusion: Savory sausage perfectly complements the melted cheddar cheese.

If you’re trying to simplify your cooking rotation, check out these 5 ingredient dinner ideas that are no-fail!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

Okay, ingredient list time. Since this is a fantastic *one pan meal*, we need every component to pull its weight, but I promise you, the list is short and sweet! The star, naturally, is the potato. You absolutely must grab the starchy kinds—think Russet or King Edwards. They get wonderfully fluffy inside when cooked, which is crucial for that perfect hash texture. Skip the waxy ones, trust me on this one!

Here’s what you need for four servings of this delicious sausage and potatoes mix:

• 1 lb potato (starchy varieties like Russet are the way to go)
• 2.5 tbsp oil
• 8 oz sausage (make sure to remove it from the casings!)
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (I said cheddar! Mozzarella gets too stringy here)
• 1/2 cup sliced scallions or shallots (greens and whites for flavor!)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup flour
• Pepper to taste

Ingredient Clarity and Preparation Notes

The preparation steps for these ingredients are just as important as the ingredients themselves! When you get your sausage, you need to ditch the casing. It cooks up so much nicer when you can crumble it directly into the pan, just like ground beef. For the potatoes, shredding them is step one, but listening to me on step two is vital for success.

You have to rinse those shredded potatoes until the water runs totally clear. That gets rid of the surface starch that makes things gummy instead of crispy. After rinsing, wrap them up tight in a clean tea towel and squeeze every drop of moisture out. They need to be almost dry before they even see the hot oil. This guarantees you get that glorious, crispy exterior in our potato hash recipe!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

Alright, let’s get cooking! Since this is a hash that turns into perfect little patties, you need to follow the prep sequence exactly. You want that satisfying crunch, not a greasy mess, so pay close attention to the potato prep—it’s where all the magic happens for a truly superior brunch skillet experience.

First things first, we tackle those potatoes. You have to peel them before grabbing your trusty box grater. Once they are shredded, move fast! You’ll put them straight into a colander and just run cold water over them for about ten seconds. This washes away the starchy film that stops them from getting crispy.

Preparing the Potatoes for Maximum Crispness

This might feel like overkill, but trust me if you want that amazing crispy exterior for your Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet, you can’t skimp here. After rinsing, grab the cleanest tea towel you own—no damp rags allowed! Bundle those wet shreds up tight and squeeze until you think you can’t get another drop out. Seriously, lean into it! Removing that moisture is the single biggest secret to getting a golden-brown sear instead of a sad, steamed potato.

Once you’ve wrung them out, toss those dry shreds into a bowl. You can look at some great quick recipes here for inspiration: dinner ideas in 20 minutes that are a weeknight win.

Cooking the Sausage and Combining the Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet Mix

Now for the flavor base! Heat just half a tablespoon of oil in your skillet over high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your sausage meat (remember, casings off!). You’ll want to break it up as you cook it, treating it just like ground meat until it’s beautifully browned. Scoop that cooked sausage out for now.

Back to your dry potatoes! Add the cooked sausage to the potato bowl. Now, throw in your cheese, the sliced scallions, that single egg to bind it all together, the flour, and a good crack of pepper. Mix everything gently until it’s just combined. Don’t overmix, or you’ll work the starch back in!

Wipe your skillet clean—get rid of all that sausage grease, we need fresh oil for the hash! Add one more tablespoon of oil and bring it back to medium-high heat. This is crucial: scoop about 1/4 cup of the mixture and plop it right into the hot pan. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to firmly press it down into a patty about 1/3 inch thick. Cook these patties for about three minutes on the first side until they are deep golden brown just like you see in savory hash brown recipes like this one: crispy cheesy sausage hash browns. Flip, cook the other side until crisp, and then move them to a rack in a low oven so they stay warm while you cook the rest of your patties. Don’t crowd the pan, or they won’t crisp up!

Expert Tips for the Best Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

I’ve learned a few things over the years making this recipe that truly elevate it from good to legendary. Remember how I stressed using starchy potatoes like Russets? If you use those, they naturally break down just right to give you that fluffy middle and crunchy outside. It’s all about the potato quality when you’re aiming for top-tier texture in these one pan meals!

Here’s another crucial tip for searing your hash portions: do not overcrowd the skillet! If you pile too many patties in there, the temperature drops immediately, and they start steaming instead of frying. Cook in batches, and you’ll get that beautiful, deep golden-brown every single time. If you want to save time later, you can follow the make-ahead advice included in the main notes to prep these hash browns partially. For even more genius cooking ideas that focus on amazing texture, peek at these: best dinner ideas for 2025 that focus on crispy outside and juicy inside.

Variations on Your Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

While I adore this specific combination—it’s classic comfort—this potato hash recipe is wonderfully flexible! If you want to switch things up without wrecking the structure, swap out the base sausage. Spicy Italian sausage brings a fantastic kick, or you can go lighter with chicken sausage. That’s an easy way to keep this *sausage and potatoes* idea fresh.

You can also sneak in some extra veggies right after you cook the sausage. Finely diced bell peppers or a handful of mushrooms work brilliantly. For a fragrant twist, toss in a tiny pinch of fresh rosemary or thyme when you mix in the eggs and flour. It adds such a lovely earthy note to the whole *one pan meal*!

For more neat recipe ideas to experiment with in your kitchen, take a look at my full collection here: all my favorite recipes. Happy tinkering!

Serving Suggestions for This Brunch Skillet

This hearty Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet is rich, savory, and totally satisfying, but every great meal needs balance, right? Because we have so much amazing flavor in this *sausage and potatoes* combination, I like to keep the additions light and bright!

For a perfect family brunch, top your hash patty with either a perfectly runny fried egg or a simple dollop of your favorite tangy hot sauce. Fresh slices of creamy avocado or a vibrant, lightly dressed green salad really cut through the richness of the cheese and meat. These pairings turn it into a true show-stopping brunch skillet! You can find suggestions for other simple, balanced suppers over here: simple balanced suppers.

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

We all hope there are leftovers because this hash is delicious the next day! If you manage to save any of those golden patties, you owe it to yourself to reheat them correctly. Don’t even think about the microwave—we want crispy, not floppy!

Store any leftovers in a nice, airtight container. They should keep well in the fridge for about three days. When it’s time to eat them again, I highly recommend using your oven or an air fryer. Just setting the oven to about 390F (200C) and watching them heat up for about ten minutes brings back that delightful crunch from the first fry. It works just like the make-ahead instructions mentioned previously! For more tips on keeping your meals foolproof, you can check out my guide on making dinner ideas foolproof.

Frequently Asked Questions About Potato Hash Recipe

Whenever I share this recipe, I get so many wonderful questions about tweaks and techniques! It’s great that you’re thinking ahead about how to make this work best in your own kitchen. Let’s knock out a few of the most common things folks ask about this fantastic potato hash recipe.

Can I make this Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! This is one of my favorite tricks for busy mornings. You can cook your hash patties until they are pale golden brown, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container. Then, when you’re ready to eat, you just reheat them in the oven or an air fryer until they are piping hot and crispy again. It saves so much time!

What kind of sausage works best for this one pan meals recipe?

For the absolute best flavor in this Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet, I always recommend using breakfast sausage or mild Italian sausage where you remove the casing. The fat content helps bind the hash and adds incredible savory depth that just sings with the cheddar cheese. If you want a bit of spice, swap in hot Italian sausage!

Another big question revolves around the potatoes. Can you use sweet potatoes? Sure, you can try it, but you’ll lose that classic starchy crispness that Russets give you. The best technique, as we talked about, is shredding them on a box grater and squeezing them totally dry! For even more super helpful tips on ingredients and temperatures, this guide is fantastic: ultimate dinner ideas guide with ingredients, temps, and tips.

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet

So, we’ve made this incredible, hearty sausage and potatoes dish—now, for the numbers! I always like to include a rough estimate of what you’re taking in, just so you know what a beautiful, satisfying plate of Cheesy Potato Hash with Sausage Skillet you’ve cooked up. Because we are cooking this in a skillet with oil and using savory sausage along with cheese, these figures are a bit more robust than a simple side salad, but oh, it’s worth every bite!

This snapshot is calculated based on serving four people using the listed ingredients. Please remember that since some ingredients like oil and sausage can vary greatly in fat content, these are just good ballpark figures for you!

Here’s the breakdown:

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 20g
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g

This is for one serving, so feel free to go back for seconds on this fantastic potato hash recipe! It truly holds up well.