Potato and Sausage Bake with Sour Cream Sauce: A Cozy, Satisfying Dish for Any Night

Bylina

When comfort food calls, few dishes hit the mark like a rustic potato and sausage bake. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with the warm aroma of roasted garlic, crispy potatoes, and savory sausage, all wrapped in a creamy, tangy sour cream sauce that brings it all together. This one-pan meal is simple to throw together, endlessly customizable, and a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this dish delivers on flavor, texture, and ease.

Why This Dish Works So Well

The magic of this bake comes from the contrast in textures and flavors. Roasted potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The sausage, whether you go with smoky kielbasa, spicy Italian, or a mild chicken sausage, adds depth and heartiness. The onions and garlic roast down into soft, caramelized bites that tie the whole thing together. Then there’s the sour cream sauce—a rich, cool, and slightly tangy drizzle that cuts through the richness of the sausage and balances the starchiness of the potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered
  • 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1 medium onion, sliced thin
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor and color)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for garnish (optional)

For the Sour Cream Sauce

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional for richness)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped chives or dill (optional)

How to Make It

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large mixing bowl, toss the halved potatoes with olive oil, paprika (if using), salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Spread them out on a large baking sheet or roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes. While the potatoes start cooking, slice the sausage and onion. After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and add the sausage and onion directly to the pan with the potatoes. Give it a quick toss to mix everything together and spread it back out into an even layer. Return to the oven and roast for another 20–25 minutes, until the potatoes are golden and the sausage is slightly crisped around the edges.

Make the Sauce

While the bake finishes, stir together the sour cream, mayo (if using), lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. If you want it thinner, add a splash of milk or water. This sauce can be served cold or slightly warmed—it’s up to your preference.

Serving Suggestions

Once the bake is done, spoon everything into a serving dish or right onto plates. Drizzle with the sour cream sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a little brightness. This dish is great on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a light salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed greens for balance. It’s filling, but never heavy, and the leftovers reheat beautifully.

Variations and Add-Ins

You can change up this dish easily to match what you have in your kitchen. Swap the potatoes for sweet potatoes or a mix of root veggies like carrots and parsnips. Add bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the roasting pan for more color and nutrients. Use turkey sausage or a plant-based sausage to lighten things up. Add a bit of Dijon mustard or horseradish to the sour cream sauce for extra kick. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top before the final bake if you want a melty finish.

Final Thoughts

This potato and sausage bake is the definition of weeknight comfort—warm, hearty, and deeply flavorful without requiring hours in the kitchen. The creamy, garlicky sour cream sauce is what takes it from good to unforgettable. It’s the kind of simple, delicious meal that brings everyone to the table, and keeps them coming back for seconds. Make it once and you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.