Chicken Sausage and Potato Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
This one-dish dinner gives your the flavors of Thanksgiving anytime of the year, and without all the hassle.
Ingredients
- 3 (4-oz / 115 g) chicken Italian sausage links, casings removed (turkey may be substituted)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cups (720 ml) chopped onion
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) chopped celery hearts
- 8 oz (225 g) Baby Bella mushrooms, chopped
- 1 1/2 lb (680 g) red potatoes, cubed into bite-sized pieces (about 1/2-in cubes)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp fennel seed
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
- Pinch of red pepper flake
- 3/4 cup (3 oz / 85 g) shredded Swiss cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage to pan, and sauté for 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove sausage from pan; drain. Wipe pan with paper towels. Melt butter in pan. Add onion and celery; sauté 8 minutes, until onion begins to caramelize, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms; sauté 6 minutes, until browned and juices are released, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes, fennel seed, and salt; sauté 5 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in crumbled sausage, red pepper flake, and broth. Remove from heat. Spoon potato mixture into an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray; top with cheese. Cover and bake at 400° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden. Sprinkle with fresh thyme.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the fennel seed add to this casserole?
The 1/4 tsp of fennel seed is added along with the potatoes during the stovetop sauté phase, giving the dish a subtle anise-like sweetness that echoes the Italian sausage and reinforces the Thanksgiving-spiced character described in the excerpt. It pairs particularly well with the chicken Italian sausage used here.
Why is the casserole baked covered and then uncovered?
It bakes covered at 400°F for 30 minutes to cook the potatoes through with steam, then uncovered for an additional 15 minutes so the Swiss cheese topping turns golden brown. This two-stage method ensures the potatoes are fully tender before the cheese crisps up.
Can I substitute turkey sausage for chicken sausage?
Yes — the ingredient list explicitly notes that turkey sausage may be substituted for the 3 links of chicken Italian sausage (casings removed). The overall flavor and technique remain the same. 
