Cheesy ranch potatoes with smoked sausage recipe might sound fancy, but this is actually one of the most budget-friendly comfort meals you can make.
I know what you’re thinking – another casserole recipe that promises to be cheap but ends up costing a fortune in specialty ingredients.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
When I first started cooking on a tight budget years ago, I’d see these “budget-friendly” recipes calling for expensive cheeses and premium sausages that would blow my weekly grocery budget in one meal.
This recipe is different.
I’ve tested it dozens of times with the cheapest ingredients I could find, and it still delivers that rich, satisfying comfort food experience your family craves.
CHEESY RANCH POTATOES AND SMOKED SAUSAGE
One-Pan • Quick Prep • Family-Friendly
KEY INFO
Total Cost: £6.50-£8.50 for entire meal
Cost per portion: £1.10-£1.40
Ingredient cost breakdown per portion:
– Potatoes: £0.15-£0.25
– Smoked sausage: £0.45-£0.70
– Cheese: £0.25-£0.35
– Ranch seasoning: £0.10-£0.20
– Butter/oil: £0.05-£0.10
– Optional extras: £0.10-£0.15
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary tags: Can be made vegetarian, gluten-free with substitutions
Price level: Very inexpensive
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Essential:
– Large pot for boiling
– 9×13 inch baking dish (or similar casserole dish)
– Large skillet
– Sharp knife and cutting board
Budget alternatives:
– Use a deep roasting tin instead of a casserole dish
– Any large frying pan works for browning sausage
– A large saucepan can substitute for the pot
INGREDIENTS
Listed in order of use
Main components:
– 2kg (4.5 lbs) russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 2cm pieces [or frozen diced potatoes for extra savings]
– 400g (14 oz) smoked sausage, sliced into rounds [turkey sausage or budget hot dogs work too]
– 200g (2 cups) mature cheddar cheese, grated [any melting cheese or store brand works]
– 2 tbsp (30ml) ranch seasoning packet [or homemade blend: 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill]
– 60ml (4 tbsp) sour cream [plain yogurt works as substitute]
– 30g (2 tbsp) butter
– Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional garnishes:
– 2 spring onions, sliced
– Fresh parsley, chopped
– 4 rashers bacon, cooked and crumbled
METHOD
1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F/Gas 5) and grease your baking dish with a little butter.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Add cubed potatoes and cook for exactly 8 minutes – they should be slightly tender but still firm.
3. Drain potatoes thoroughly and let them sit in the colander for 2 minutes.
This step prevents soggy potatoes later.
4. While potatoes drain, heat your skillet over medium-high heat.
Add sliced sausage and brown for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy.
Set aside on a plate.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add the drained potatoes and toss gently.
Season with half the ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6. Transfer seasoned potatoes to your prepared baking dish.
Scatter the browned sausage pieces evenly over the potatoes.
7. In a small bowl, mix sour cream with remaining ranch seasoning.
Dot this mixture over the potato and sausage layer.
8. Top everything with grated cheese, making sure to cover all the potatoes.
9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
The potatoes should be completely tender when pierced with a fork.
10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with spring onions or parsley if using.
CRUCIAL TIPS
Money-saving essentials:
• Buy potatoes in bulk bags – they keep for weeks in a cool, dark place
• Use whatever sausage is on offer – even basic hot dogs work brilliantly
• Grate your own cheese from blocks rather than buying pre-shredded
• Make your own ranch seasoning: mix equal parts garlic powder, onion powder, and dried dill
Success guarantees:
• Don’t skip the parboiling – raw potatoes won’t cook through in the oven time
• Drain potatoes completely or your dish will be watery
• Brown the sausage first – this adds crucial flavour depth
• Let it rest before serving to avoid burns and let flavours settle
STORAGE AND VARIATIONS
Storage:
Keeps in the fridge for 4 days in a covered container.
Reheat portions in the microwave or cover the whole dish with foil and warm in a 180°C oven for 15 minutes.
Scaling:
Halve everything for a smaller family.
Double the recipe and use two dishes for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Common mistakes to avoid:
• Cutting potatoes too large (they won’t cook evenly)
• Skipping the browning step (bland sausage)
• Overbaking (dry, separated cheese)
Variations that work:
• Vegetarian: Use plant-based sausage or skip it entirely, add diced bell peppers
• Lighter version: Use reduced-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
• Extra veg: Add frozen peas, diced onions, or chopped broccoli
• Spicy: Mix in sliced jalapeños or use spicy sausage
This recipe has become my go-to when I need to feed my family something satisfying without breaking the bank.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and flexibility.
I’ve made it with whatever sausage was reduced for quick sale, used the cheapest cheese I could find, and even substituted homemade ranch seasoning when I ran out of packets.
Every single version has been devoured.
The creamy, cheesy potatoes paired with smoky sausage create that perfect comfort food combination that makes everyone forget you spent less than £1.50 per person.
It’s the kind of meal that proves good food doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
When I serve this at family gatherings, people always ask for the recipe, assuming it must be complicated or expensive.
The truth is, it’s one of the most straightforward dishes I make, using ingredients I can find in any supermarket.
That’s exactly what budget cooking should be – simple, satisfying, and surprisingly delicious.
