Smoked Sausage and Potatoes is more than just a meal; it’s a testament to how effortlessly a handful of simple ingredients can transform into a truly satisfying feast. This beloved one-pan dinner is a culinary dream, loaded with robust smoky sausage, golden-crisp potatoes, sweet bursts of corn, and tender, vibrant bell peppers, all seasoned to perfection. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a hearty, flavorful dish without the hassle of extensive cleanup.

A Note from the Author

Experience the Magic: Crispy Potatoes Meet Savory Smoked Sausage!

Following the overwhelming success of my one-pan Italian sausage and veggies recipe, I was inspired to experiment with other irresistible flavor combinations for effortless sheet pan meals. This particular version, featuring hearty smoked sausage, tender potatoes, sweet corn, and colorful peppers, quickly became an undeniable family favorite.

It truly embodies the essence of a perfect weeknight dinner: incredibly quick to throw together, packed with robust flavors, and universally adored by everyone at the table. The harmonious pairing of beautifully roasted vegetables with savory, smoky sausage is always a winning combination. The inclusion of sweet corn adds a delightful pop of freshness and a touch of seasonal brightness, making every bite feel like a celebration, no matter the time of year.

For an uncomplicated yet memorable family dinner, I often serve this delightful dish directly from the sheet pan. It pairs perfectly with warm, buttered baguette slices, which are ideal for soaking up all those flavorful pan juices. And seriously, don’t even think about skipping that final squeeze of fresh lemon juice! It’s a small addition that delivers a remarkable burst of acidity, perfectly cutting through the richness and elevating the entire flavor profile of the dish.

Why This One-Pan Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite

This Smoked Sausage and Potatoes dish isn’t just easy; it’s a culinary revelation that simplifies your cooking while delivering maximum flavor. Here’s why you’ll want to make it a regular on your meal rotation:

• Effortless One-Pan Cooking: The greatest advantage of this recipe is the minimal cleanup. Everything cooks on a single sheet pan, meaning fewer dishes and more time to relax after dinner. It’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
• Unbeatable Flavor Profile: The blend of textures and tastes is simply irresistible. You get the deep, savory notes of smoked sausage, the comforting crispness of perfectly roasted potatoes, the refreshing sweetness of corn, and the tender bite of bell peppers, all melded together with a harmonious spice blend.
• Quick and Convenient Preparation: From prep to plate, this meal comes together in under an hour. With straightforward chopping and simple roasting steps, you can achieve a homemade, wholesome dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Highly Adaptable to Your Taste: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Easily swap out vegetables based on what’s in season or what you have on hand. Experiment with different types of smoked sausage or adjust the seasonings to create a dish that’s uniquely yours.
• Hearty and Wholesome Meal: Packed with protein from the sausage, complex carbohydrates from the potatoes, and essential vitamins from the vegetables, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious. It’s a complete meal that will keep everyone feeling full and energized.
• Guaranteed Family Favorite: The combination of familiar flavors and appealing textures makes this recipe a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy, making family mealtime stress-free and delicious.

Essential Ingredients for Your Savory One-Pan Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Dinner

Crafting this simple yet spectacular Smoked Sausage and Potatoes dish requires just a handful of fresh ingredients and pantry staples. Each component plays a vital role in creating the layered flavors and textures that make this meal so irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Baby Gold Potatoes: These small, naturally buttery potatoes are absolutely perfect for roasting. Halving them ensures they cook evenly and quickly, developing a deliciously crispy, golden-brown exterior while remaining wonderfully fluffy and tender on the inside. Keeping the skin on not only adds extra texture and a rustic charm but also retains valuable nutrients.
• Smoked Sausage: The flavorful foundation of this dish! You have great flexibility here. Beef or pork smoked sausage will lend a richer, more robust, and deeply savory flavor to the meal. For those seeking a lighter alternative, chicken or turkey smoked sausage work equally well, providing that essential smoky essence without being too heavy. Just ensure you choose a fully cooked variety for convenience.
• Red Bell Pepper: When cut into uniform 1-inch pieces, red bell peppers add a delightful sweetness, a vibrant pop of color, and a tender-crisp texture to the roasted medley. As they cook, their natural sugars caramelize, enhancing the overall flavor.
• Red Onion: Thinly slicing red onion is key. As it roasts, it softens beautifully and develops a remarkable sweetness, losing any harsh pungency. This subtle sweetness and savory depth perfectly complement the other ingredients on the pan.
• Frozen Corn: This is a fantastic shortcut that brings a burst of natural sweetness and a satisfying textural contrast to the dish. For an extra layer of smoky flavor that truly elevates the meal, I highly recommend using fire-roasted frozen corn if you can find it. The best part? There’s absolutely no need to thaw it beforehand!
• Garlic Cloves: Aromatic smashed whole garlic cloves are added to the pan to infuse the potatoes and other vegetables with their pungent, savory essence as they roast. You can easily discard them before serving, or if you love the flavor, enjoy them as sweet, tender roasted garlic.
• Olive Oil: A staple for roasting, olive oil coats all the ingredients, promoting even cooking, helping to achieve that desirable golden crispness on the potatoes, and preventing sticking.
• Paprika: This versatile spice is crucial for both the dish’s appealing warm color and its depth of flavor. Whether you choose smoked paprika for an intensified smoky note or regular sweet paprika, it will contribute beautifully to the overall taste profile.
• Salt and Black Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are essential to enhance and balance all the flavors, bringing out the best in each ingredient. Always adjust to your personal taste preferences.

Smoked Sausage and Potatoes: Elevating Your Dish with Fresh Finishing Touches

While the roasted ingredients are delicious on their own, a few simple additions right at the end can truly transform your one-pan meal, adding a burst of brightness, freshness, and an extra layer of complexity:

• Fresh Lemon Juice: This is a non-negotiable finishing touch! A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the hot, finished dish is a game-changer. Its bright acidity cuts through the richness of the sausage and potatoes, enlivening all the flavors and leaving a wonderfully clean, zesty finish. It truly balances and elevates the entire meal.
• Fresh Parsley: While optional, a vibrant sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a beautiful pop of green color and a delicate, herbaceous freshness. It brightens the visual appeal and complements the savory notes of the dish.
• Toasted Baguette: Serving warm, crusty slices of buttered baguette on the side is highly recommended. They are absolutely perfect for soaking up any lingering, delicious pan juices and provide a lovely textural contrast with their satisfying crunch against the tender ingredients.

How to Make the Best One-Pan Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

Creating this satisfying and flavorful one-pan dinner is incredibly straightforward and designed for minimal effort. Follow these simple, phased steps to achieve perfectly roasted ingredients every single time:

1. Preheat Oven and Initiate Potato Roast: Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 400°F (200°C). On a generously sized 18×13-inch sheet pan (this size is crucial for even cooking and preventing overcrowding), toss your halved baby gold potatoes. Drizzle them thoroughly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season generously with ½ teaspoon of paprika (smoked paprika is highly recommended here for extra depth), 6 smashed garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Ensure all potatoes are evenly coated and spread them out in a single layer across the pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for an initial 15 minutes. This head start helps them become wonderfully crisp.
2. Incorporate Sausage and Remaining Vegetables: Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven. Using a sturdy spatula, give the potatoes a good flip and toss to encourage even browning on all sides. Now, evenly distribute your thinly sliced smoked sausage, the 1-inch pieces of red bell pepper, and the thinly sliced red onion over the potatoes. Drizzle another 2 tablespoons of olive oil over these new additions, then season with 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, an additional ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper (or adjust to your taste preferences). Toss everything together thoroughly until all the ingredients are well coated with the oil and spices. Spread the mixture back out into a single, even layer on the pan. Return the pan to the oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.
3. Add the Sweet Corn and Final Roast: After the second roasting period, remove the pan from the oven once more and give everything another thorough toss. At this point, add the 2 cups of frozen corn (there’s no need to thaw it – it will heat through perfectly during the final stage!). Toss gently to combine the corn with the partially cooked sausage and vegetables. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. The goal here is for the vegetables to become tender with appealing, slightly charred edges, and for the sausage to be nicely browned and heated through. The corn will also cook through and gain a lovely texture.
4. Finish with Zest and Serve: Once all components are roasted to perfection, remove the sheet pan from the oven. At this stage, you may discard the smashed garlic cloves if you prefer, or leave them in for extra flavor. Drizzle generously with 2 tablespoons (or to taste) of fresh lemon juice – this crucial step brightens and elevates all the savory flavors. If you’re using fresh parsley, sprinkle it over the dish for added color and a burst of herbaceous freshness. Serve this irresistible Smoked Sausage and Potatoes dinner directly from the sheet pan. It pairs exceptionally well with warm, toasted, and buttered baguette slices, perfect for soaking up all those delicious pan juices and making sure no drop of flavor goes to waste.

Expert Tips for Crafting the Perfect Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

Achieving that ideal balance of crispy potatoes, tender vegetables, and perfectly cooked sausage is simple with these expert tips:

• Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any sheet pan meal. For the best results – meaning truly crispy potatoes and beautifully caramelized vegetables – ensure your ingredients are spread in a single, even layer on the sheet pan. If your pan is too small, it’s always better to use two sheet pans. Overcrowding traps steam, which leads to soggy rather than crispy results.
• Consider Preheating Your Sheet Pan: For an even crispier foundation, place your empty sheet pan in the oven as it preheats. When you add the seasoned ingredients to a hot pan, they’ll get an immediate sizzle, kicking off the browning process more effectively.
• Cut Ingredients Uniformly: Aim for roughly similar sizes when chopping your potatoes, slicing your sausage, and dicing your bell peppers and onions. Uniformity ensures that all components cook at the same rate, reaching optimal tenderness and crispness simultaneously.
• Season Generously and in Layers: Don’t be shy with your seasonings! Seasoning the potatoes initially and then adding more spices with the other ingredients helps to build deeper, more complex flavors throughout the entire dish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
• Adjust Roasting Time as Needed: Remember that all ovens can vary slightly in temperature and efficiency. Keep a close eye on your dish, especially during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. You’re looking for potatoes that are fork-tender with golden-brown, crispy edges, vegetables that are tender-crisp and slightly charred, and sausage that is nicely browned and heated through.
• Fresh Lemon Juice is a Game-Changer: The acidity from a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end is not just for flavor; it brightens and lifts all the savory elements of the dish. It provides a crucial balancing act that cuts through richness and leaves a refreshing finish.

Smoked Sausage and Potatoes: Flavor Variations and Smart Substitutions

One of the beauties of this Smoked Sausage and Potatoes recipe is its incredible adaptability. Feel free to unleash your culinary creativity and customize it based on your pantry, seasonal availability, or dietary preferences:

• Experiment with Different Vegetables: While red bell pepper is classic, feel free to swap it for green, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Broccoli florets, zucchini chunks, asparagus spears, or even sliced mushrooms can be fantastic additions. Just be mindful of their cooking times – denser vegetables like broccoli should go in earlier, while softer ones like zucchini can be added during the second roasting stage.
• Enhance with Fresh Herbs: Introduce a deeper aromatic profile by adding fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs directly to the pan along with the potatoes. For a lighter, fresher finish, a sprinkle of fresh dill or chopped chives at the very end can add a lovely touch.
• Spice It Up or Change the Profile: Beyond paprika and garlic, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat. Onion powder can boost the savory notes, or a dash of Italian seasoning can give it a different Mediterranean twist. Smoked cumin or chili powder could also create a delicious Southwestern flair.
• Cheese, Please!: For a touch of indulgent richness, consider sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar over the dish during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. This will create a wonderfully melted, gooey, or slightly crispy cheesy crust.
• Explore Different Sausage Options: While pork or beef smoked sausage is traditional, don’t limit yourself! Spicy chorizo can add a fantastic kick and rich, smoky flavor. Chicken apple sausage offers a sweeter, lighter profile, while various vegetarian or plant-based sausages can easily be substituted for a meatless option, making this recipe suitable for diverse diets.
• Add a Sauce for Serving: While delicious on its own, a drizzle of pesto, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, or even a simple homemade aioli can elevate this dish further and add another layer of flavor.

One-Pan Smoked Sausage and Potatoes with Corn

By: Chelsea Lords

This Smoked Sausage and Potatoes recipe is a hearty, filling, and incredibly easy meal, all made on one pan! It features savory smoked sausage, golden-crisp potatoes, sweet corn, and tender peppers, perfectly seasoned for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Large Sheet Pan (18×13-inch recommended)

Ingredients

For the First Roast (Potatoes)

• 1 pound baby gold potatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked recommended)
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Second Roast (Sausage & Veggies)

• 12 ounces smoked sausage, thinly sliced (see Recipe Notes below)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red onion, halved then thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Final Touches

• 2 cups frozen corn (fire-roasted preferred)
• 1 large lemon, for juicing (about 2 tablespoons)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• Toasted and buttered baguette slices (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roast Potatoes: On a large 18×13-inch sheet pan, toss the halved baby gold potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon paprika, 6 smashed garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Spread into a single layer and bake for 15 minutes.
3. Add Sausage and Vegetables: Remove the pan from the oven. Toss the potatoes with a spatula. Add the thinly sliced smoked sausage, red pepper pieces, and thinly sliced red onion. Drizzle with 2 more tablespoons of olive oil, then season with 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss until everything is well coated and spread evenly on the pan. Return to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes.
4. Incorporate Corn: Remove the pan from the oven and toss again. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender with some char. Add the 2 cups of frozen corn, toss to combine, and bake for 5 more minutes.
5. Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons (or to taste) of fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired. Discard the smashed garlic cloves. Serve hot directly from the pan, ideally with toasted, buttered baguette slices to soak up the delicious pan juices.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Sausage Choice: Any type of pre-cooked smoked sausage will work wonderfully in this recipe. For a richer flavor, I often use beef or pork smoked sausage (or a blend). If you’re looking for a lighter, more nutritious option, chicken or turkey smoked sausage are excellent alternatives.

Note 2: Customizing Spice Levels: Feel free to adjust the amount of paprika and garlic powder to suit your taste. For a hint of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings during the second roast.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 663kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.5g | Protein: 22.6g | Fat: 53.2g | Cholesterol: 93.1mg | Sodium: 1072.2mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Individual results may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.